Do you make New Year’s resolutions?  I try not to.  There are lots of things I sure hope I do better this year though.  I always want to eat better and less!  My aunt’s doctor told her once, years ago, when she asked him for diet pills, “You don’t need a diet pill.  You need a smaller spoon!”  Boy, oh boy, do I ever need a smaller spoon! 

Exercise – groan. When I think of how blessed I am to be healthy and able to exercise, I always feel guilty for being so lazy.  There will come a time when I can’t do what I want and I don’t want to look back and think (Like I have about some other things), why didn’t I use those legs when I could?

I want all of those things you do.  More time with my family, more time with my mom.  Reading more could never hurt.  Writing and learning and trying to notice all the times God works in my life –“God stops” sounds good.   Be encouraging, make a difference.  When I stand before my Savior and King, I want Him to say “well done good and faithful servant”.  The older I get, the more I want to help.  Good grief, what a waste it would be to have survived some tough times and not share that with others.    

I am excited about women’s ministry for 2013.  One year ago I accepted this call and Lord willing, I will be blessed to be used another year by God.  The women God has placed in my path in ministry have made me want to be a better person.  I want to learn, teach, mentor and love more than I plan, prepare, and stress over details this year.   About details, Oprah once said “love is in the details,” and I think that has a lot of truth in it.  One of the ways I show love to the women that Shoulder2Shoulder touches is in the details.  I must learn how to delegate some more of those details though.  God is working on me :) 

2013 is a new chance.  Somehow it seems that January 1 always feels like a new chance, a new opportunity for a start fresh.  I don’t know why that is.  God tells us His mercies are new every day.  In reality I can hit refresh any time and any day.   Our family usually starts our new year with a fast.  The concept is giving God the first fruits of our year.  Some amazing things have happened during fasting times.  We usually make a list of 4 or 5 things we focus on in prayer, seeking God in some major areas of our lives.   Our plan is to offer those 21 days again this month.  How about you, do you ever fast? 

Can I make a suggestion?   Love more, laugh more, give more, have more fun.  Examine yourself every once in a while, seek God and strengthen your relationship with Him, which usually means spending  a little more time in prayer and Bible study. Go to church.  It is true that attending church won’t make us a Christian like sitting in a garage won’t make us cars but we miss out on so many blessings and gifts that God only manifest in the local church.  Get involved in a Bible teaching group of believers.  True, local churches are made up of often fragile, flawed people but those same flawed people can be some of your biggest blessings.  God said not to forsake it, so don’t.  Enough said on that.   When you are working, work hard, be the kind of employee that you would want.  “Work as unto the Lord” in all the tasks you do.  When you are not working, leave it at the office.  Be the kind of person you want to be around.  Be graceful and merciful.  Be a peace maker and not just a peace keeper.  Life is so short.  It is “but a vapor”.  I would say think about the legacy you will leave but really, if you live your life as Christ asked, a wonderful legacy will be assured. 

The expectation is there – expectation of changes for 2013. I don’t want to be anxious; I want to be full of anticipation!  God has a plan for me and for you.  Thank goodness, He is not waiting on us to come up with one.   As I have heard it said, “Lord willing I get another year”, what will I have experienced in 2013 that I will reflect on next January 1?    

Carmen