New Year’s Resolutions

It is a New Year! It is hard to believe we are already in a new year. So much happened last year for my family and I. We moved to outside of Nashville, Tennessee from Florida. I turned 30. Miller turned 1. Ryan turned 30. We had a big move and some monumental birthdays! Plus so much more.

I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for us this year. So with a new year upon us. It is only fitting that I write my new year’s resolutions. My resolutions are usually similar to others made each year but this year is different. The Lord has put things on my heart that I want to share with you.

2018 New Years Resolutions

1. Be a Mary vs. Martha

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary,who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

I am going to strive to be more in the moment with my family and not concentrating on making the perfect meal each night. I am going to incorporate simple, less time consuming meals into the week so that I can spend more time with my family and less time in the kitchen. Look forward to some simple, easy recipes and shortcuts to homemade.

Also with entertaining, I want to spend more time with my guests than cooking and cleaning in the kitchen.

2) Spend time in the word

I received a new bible for Christmas. I asked my husband for a new bible with my married last name engraved on it. I love it! I want my bible to be like my mom’s bible that is worn with crimped pages and markings. It doesn’t get that way if she only opened it every once in a while. No her bible is worn from daily use. I am devoting time each day this year for reading my bible, memorizing scripture and praying.

3) Be Fearless

This one is big! Sunday during worship and before the sermon, the Lord revealed to me that I need to give him my fears. He was obviously speaking to me because the sermon began and the preacher said it was on Fear. I was like okay Lord I am listening. If you are struggling with fear in some form, then I think you will get a lot out of my sermon notes.

“Fear is man’s default setting, faith is man’s choice.”

Fear was present in the beginning. Genesis 3:10. He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Adam feared. He allowed the devil to get to him. In Genesis 3:11 the Lord spoke to Adam. And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?….

Fear is producing separation from God.

When fear is present, God is there to speak to it and combat it. Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”

This year when fear starts creeping in, I am going to stop it immediately and give it to the Lord. I am going to shut out fear with prayer. The enemy, thief (devil) wants to……John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” I am going to choose JOY instead of fear. Philippians 4:4 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Nehemiah 8:10 ….”for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

What is your new year’s resolutions? How will they make you to a better you this year?