The new year
Like so many others, I look at the new year as a time for new beginnings. I don’t usually make a formal list of resolutions but I do like to define areas for improvement, set goals and work on forming good habits and breaking the bad ones.
I did firmly resolve to form one new habit last year and by God’s grace I have succeeded: I have read my Bible each day before checking my email or getting on the Internet. The better you know me, the more you will understand what a triumph this was. I don’t say this to brag, but rather to encourage. I am deeply ashamed that it took me nearly 35 years to form a habit reading God’s Word daily, but I am equally thankful that He has finally given me a daily hunger for His Word!
This year, we have much room for improvement in our household and in our own personal lives.
I want to work toward better organization in our home, one small area at a time.
At hubby’s encouragement, we will start with our food storage. One of our cabinets was very well organized for a short while, with labels at the front edge of the shelves for each row of canned goods: one row, running from front to back, for each category. We had spaghetti sauce, cream soups, corn, beans (covering a variety of legumes), green beans, tomato (covering a variety), and perhaps a couple more categories that I’ve forgotten but I’m too lazy to go look at the labels. It was a simple and beautiful system while it was in use, but when the little ones started to help putting away canned goods after shopping trips it all fell by the way. I want it to come back, today, and I want to teach the younger ones to maintain it as well. This I resolve.
Then we will organize our containers/mixing bowls/misc. cupboard.
Then the tall pantry cupboard and the cabinet over the coffee maker.
Week by week, month by month, and area by area I want to work this year toward a more organized home, training the younger ones to prevent messes and help us keep it up rather than working against each other and wasting all our time cleaning up each other’s messes after the fact.
I want to read more to the younger children, helping them to develop a love of books to rival the literary obsessions of their older sisters.
I want to develop a habit of formal prayer. I pray silently throughout the day, small short pleas to God, but I want my children to see me pray the way they now see me read God’s Word. I don’t want this so that they will think I’m holy, but so that I can lead by example and they will follow that example - the way they have in Bible reading. This certainly isn’t the only reason for prayer, but as a mother the spiritual well-being of my children weighs upon me and this is one way that I know I can positively impact them.
I want to speak more sweetly and gently to my children, especially when I correct them. Their voices are so often harsh and contentious to one another, and I know that this didn’t develop in a vacuum. I also know that the problem won’t go away overnight, even if I manage to correct my own tones overnight. We’ll need patience, persistence, and prayer.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but these are few of my goals for the upcoming year.
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Filed under: Christian living
Kim, your goals sound a lot like my own. I wish you luck with accomplishing them!
Hi Kim
Haven’t posted in a while but have been checking in. I’m trying to cut down on on-line time and actually DO what I know I need to do around home.
Anyways, I love your “resolutions” and I could echo every one.
May God strengthen you by His grace to accomplish these things this year.
In Him
Meredith
You certainly are an inspiration to me! Thank you for sharing this!!
Like Melanie, your goals seem a lot like mine. Let’s pray for one another, shall we?!
Hugs,
Carmen
Hi Kim,
Your goals sound a lot like mine too! I think Carmen’s idea is a good one, I will be praying for you all.
Congratulations on meeting last year’s goal of reading your Bible everyday before you get on the computer. You are an inspiration.
Kim,
Thank you for having the courage to write this post! I say this because I have similar goals for the new year, but I’m not sure if I have the courage to post it on my blog for all to read.
Thank you! I love to read your blog, and your family is an real blessing!
Jennifer
Mother to 6 little ones!
I’m a mom to 5, I’ll pray for you. I know how crazy days can be, and trying to get your house organized at the same time with little ones around….I’m tired just thinking about it!!
Take care.
Kim,
I totally relate. Those goals are also mine. We also have 8 kids, with many littles who sometimes miss mom’s attention. Praying for you.
Cindy
You know, I used to be so studied and so purposeful about not getting on the computer till my Bible was read and my Bible study was done and studied, but alas, that has fallen off the cliff again. So I always hear that niggling voice every morning, ‘ go read My Word, go read My Word, I want to be with you….’ So your post just confirmed in my heart and mind that I need to make a point to get back to the right way of doing things. My email will still be there later. My favorite blogs can wait. May I say thank you for sharing that you struggled with that issue too, it helps to know that I’m not the only one who is fighting with this.
And I loved your idea of labeling your pantry shelves. My son, the beaver, is usually in charge of organizing our pantry shelves out in the garage when we get back from grocery shopping. My 5 girls usually just bring him cans and boxes and he decides where it all goes, and it typically looks very nice, but the girls have been ‘helping’ lately, especially Kellie, who is almost 5, and she is not a beaver, but she has such an earnest heart. So can I steal your labeling idea?
And finally, I too need to be more kind when I speak to my babies. I hear the snapping and the contention, especially with the 5 girls, and I must endeavor to change my tongue if I want them to change theirs.
What a great post!
Leanne from Longview WA
PS: We’re thinking about taking a road trip to the film festival this year, the whole crew…….it excites me!!!
Hey, you stole my goals. EVERYONE!! but especially the Bible reading one.
Your goals are almost EXACTLY like mine! Praying we both have success with the Lord’s help!
Such worthy & inspirational goals. Thank you so much for sharing your heart!
Blessings,
Lea