On the Dreaded Word: Resolutions

I hate the word 'resolution'.  Seeing it or hearing it this time of year makes me cringe.  I've never been one to make any.  And this week, I've found this stance regarding resolutions to be unfortunate on my part. 

The reason I've never liked them is that I've never kept them.  And since I dislike feeling like a failure, I've just resigned to not make them at all.  (If it sounds like I'm pouting, I am.)

But it's my own fault, really.  In the past, I've given myself a list of five things I want to work on in the new year.  Big things.  Resolutions like: Love God more.  Be a better wife to Josh.  Spend more time with those closest to me.  Eat less.  Exercise more.

In and of themselves, they are all great things to work on.  But the problems are that:
1) There are too many.  No one can focus on five things at once and be successful.  It's just not possible in our already jam-packed lives.

2) They are too broad.  How can I have a plan to "love God more" or "be a better wife to Josh"?  They are so wide and deep that I drown in those statements.  And, inevitably, I give up because the end point is so far away and so fuzzy.

3) There is no plan of success established.  Sure I can try to exercise more, but if I don't establish in advance how and when and why I'm going to do this new thing, then my schedule will remain the same as it always was, and 'running' will not  become a new part of my schedule.

4)  For me, they can tend to be very selfish.  I want to be ______ so I look better.  I want to be ______ so others will think I am better.   Thinking about myself all the time and comparing myself to others is exhausting.  But this time, what about making a resolution so that God looks better?

So, this year, I have made one resolution.  Just one.  And I have a specific plan on how I'm going to do it.  It is a rather broad statement, but I have a very established plan of HOW I'm going to do it, WHEN I'm going to do it, and especially WHY I'm going to do it.

Last night, I was with a dear friend, Katie.  She asked me if I had any "challenges" for myself for 2013.  I liked that word.  It was much less intimidating to me than the words "resolutions" or "goals."  It signifies less of a perfect endpoint and more of a wholesome, growing journey that is only against myself -- not against the perfect model bodies in the magazines, not against the friend in my life who has the 'perfect' relationship with their spouse.  It's just me.  Trying to be a better person today than I was yesterday.

All to the glory of God.

I'll let you in on my "2013 Personal Challenge to the Glory of God" tomorrow, but until then, why don't we narrow down our lists of "Be Better in 2013"...and just pick one.  Make a plan.  Do it for Christ.

Maybe, for once, we won't have failed at all of them by February 1st.



Molly Monroe