Tuesday, January 1, 2013

On New Year's Resolution........

Okay, so to be honest, I don't much care for making New Year resolutions. My thoughts on the resolutions are that I much rather set goals I would like to accomplish during the year, break them into small steps needed to attain them and at the end of the year review where we stand with regards to these goals. In our family we have individual goals AND family goals.

I believe having both helps each of us to keep in mind ultimately we all must work to better ourselves within the confine of our family. We don't want to forget that families are the building block of society, as the family goes, so does society. We should keep that at the forefront of everything we do. Before I can demand for a change in government, I must realize that the change must start within us. I cannot demand that which I am, myself, not willing to give.

This year as we sat around the table to share our goals, my husband and I marveled at the children's tenacity in knowing the areas that needed improvement as well as setting goals to help the family. In moments like these we praise God for helping us in the raising our children. We often face criticism from family, friends and strangers alike. Comments can cut deep in our hearts, make us question wether our choices are right. Often the individuals criticizing forget we are people too. The only comfort we find comes from knowing our life is supposed to be lived in a way to honor God. So as we sit and make our goals, watching the end of another homeschooling year draw near, we are gently reminded that our goals should be focused more on character training, allowing the children to fully know God, and although academics are important, they should NOT be a priority over that which belongs to God. What would it profit this family, or society for that matter, for us to raise academically sound but God ignorant children?

So as you sit down to envision your upcoming year, I urge you to look at the WHOLE picture. Parents we must keep our eyes and hearts truly on those things that will be good for eternity, regardless of what the rest of the world may think. We must be followers of Christ in all we do, say and think, so our lives reflect the glory attributed to God. This is not a Sunday or Holy day of obligation only kind of thing, it must be lived everyday. Trust me it is a struggle, I fail Him daily! I am grateful for His mercy and grace. I urge you to not give in, don't give up. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called! As you set your goals for your family, I leave you with this prayer, which is part of my goals for this year. May God bless you abundantly!

A Thanksgiving Prayers by Samuel F. Pugh

Oh, God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me remember the jobless;
When I have a warm home, help me remember the homeless;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer;
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted.

"For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me....." Matthew 25:35