Monday, January 5, 2015

So This is the New Year

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Last year I wrote out a long list of resolutions touching on... well... just about every aspect of my life. And, although I accomplished some of what I set out to do (I did run a 5k, so ya know that's something...) in my quest to fulfill my laundry list I kind of missed the big picture. This year I've decided to take a different approach. There are many things in my life that I would like to improve and I could easily write them out into a novel of bullet points, but I don't think that will help me much. Rather, I'm choosing to focus on one idea--my theme for the year, so to speak. Luckily this theme is pretty all encompassing, and should help to make me a better person all around. Ezra Taft Benson said:

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities." 

I love this idea, and I think it is exactly what I need. I feel like I'm constantly struggling to balance all of the demands on my time and energy--to find that happy and productive medium where I can feel both accomplished and content with how I spend the precious moments of my life. It's a daily struggle really, but the answer is clear. 

I resolve to put the Lord first, and let everything else fall into place.

Sam liked the idea so much that he decided to adopt it as well. I guess that makes it our resolution, a family goal of sorts. I'm really excited to have his support in this endeavor. I'm a ridiculously lucky wife.

Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a confession that I've been a total heathen lately, but I will admit that I've often found myself simply going through the motions when it comes to my religiosity. I haven't really invested my whole heart into my relationship with the big man upstairs... at least not in the way that He deserves.  I need to realign my priorities. The beauty of putting God first is that His way will ensure that I am becoming my best self--in my relationships, obligations, and day-to-day tasks. If I am continually seeking him I will be guided.

Rather than focusing on what I think is best, He can show me what is best. 

I'm confident that if I can reprioritize and put my spirituality first, then everything else in my life will be better off. I've put this theory to the test before, and it works! I didn't necessarily have less problems, but I certainly felt better equipped to face the ups and downs. Why I ever let myself slide into complacency... I'm not entirely sure. But, now is the time to improve. I know that I can... and more importantly that I need to.

For my blog this means that I want to get back on track with writing out my spiritual/religious musings. I was doing a pretty good job of that earlier this year with my weekly "religious reflections" posts, and I loved the results. It forced me to study, ponder, and pray more fervently to come up with a topic each week. Obviously I was hopeful that my thoughts and experiences could be of some benefit to others, but regardless of whether anyone read my words the process of simply writing them out was extremely beneficial to me. I resolve to get back on track with this, and to continually pray for guidance and direction with my blog in general. Essentially, I want to rededicate this space to The One who matters most.

2015 is a promising year. In just a few short months I will see the face of my son for the first time, and hold his tiny little body in my arms. I love this year already! I realize, however, that things will definitely get harder. I remember how difficult a newborn can be, and this time around I'll have a toddler too. Now is my time to prepare--to become more organized, more disciplined, and more compassionate. I want to be the best possible wife and mother that I can be, and I know that God will help me in this regard if I will let him.


2 comments:

  1. That is SUCH a great theme for the year. I need to adopt this, as well. I've been putting God last on my plate in my daily life recently, and usually bible reading and prayer times are kind of an afterthought at the end of the day rather than an intention at the beginning.
    Lovely family pictures!
    xo
    Kristina
    www.eccentricowl.com

    ReplyDelete
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