I already have my list of 101 Goals for 1001 Days, so I really didn't stop to think about what my goals were for 2008. But after stopping by a few blogs I realized that I DO have a few main things I want to work on about myself or do for myself.
During the year of 2008...
I want to really work on my patience. I've been having such a time with Eli, and it's really come to my attention how impatient I really am. And it wears me out so quickly and everything blows out of proportion and into something bigger, and it's such an awful example to Eli. So somehow I want to really work on being more patient. Being firm with him, yet not raising my voice or saying things out of anger. Every morning at breakfast I pray with Eli for joy, peace, patience, and self-control for the day so that I may glorify God in everything I do and say. But that's not enough, because it's not working.
I need to do more.
I need to get up in the morning before Eli for once so that I can spend time with the Lord--in the Word and in prayer. Prepare myself for the day. Prepare my heart. Instead of just diving in head first with no preparation, still feeling groggy and having had no time for "myself" yet. So getting up and having "quiet time" first thing in the morning is something I really want and need to do.
I've been saying this for more than a year now and it's never really happened. I am not a morning person. I am tired. I remember the time when Eli was still not yet sleeping through the night and I was getting up every hour to put his darn pacifier back in his mouth. And I remember thinking "Right now my body just needs the rest. But once Eli is sleeping through the night, I'll start getting up earlier in the morning." Ha! That was a YEAR AGO, and look at me! Now we have ANOTHER baby coming and that's going to start all over again! So I need to give up on all the excuses and just do what I need to do! Such a practice of spiritual discipline, wow. It's hard. BUT this year I am going to do it!
So that's two things... 1) Work on patience--no raising voice, no bad words, no actions out of anger. And 2) Start my mornings with "quiet time".
And a third thing is a hobby thing that really needs to get tackled. It's been at a standstill since Eli was born, and now he's almost 18 months old! I need to figure out what I am going to do with my scrapbooking. Am I going to convert to digital scrapbooking? Or am I going to finish out with paper scrapbooking? And how am I going to get caught up on our family photo album, as there are still NO pictures in there from since Eli was born! Ack! I really need to get to work on that!
Those are the three biggest things I'm challenging myself to for 2008, though I still have a whole list of things I'll be working on too.... setting date nights with Kevin (even if they're at home), doing daily devotions as a couple (I found THIS BOOK, ordered it today, and can't wait to see what it's like!!), establishing daily Bible time with children, and finding a workout routine that I enjoy (this would be a miracle, haha).
So those are my biggest goals for the year. If you have any advice or tips that might help things along, do share! Blessings on your year!
During the year of 2008...
I want to really work on my patience. I've been having such a time with Eli, and it's really come to my attention how impatient I really am. And it wears me out so quickly and everything blows out of proportion and into something bigger, and it's such an awful example to Eli. So somehow I want to really work on being more patient. Being firm with him, yet not raising my voice or saying things out of anger. Every morning at breakfast I pray with Eli for joy, peace, patience, and self-control for the day so that I may glorify God in everything I do and say. But that's not enough, because it's not working.
I need to do more.
I need to get up in the morning before Eli for once so that I can spend time with the Lord--in the Word and in prayer. Prepare myself for the day. Prepare my heart. Instead of just diving in head first with no preparation, still feeling groggy and having had no time for "myself" yet. So getting up and having "quiet time" first thing in the morning is something I really want and need to do.
I've been saying this for more than a year now and it's never really happened. I am not a morning person. I am tired. I remember the time when Eli was still not yet sleeping through the night and I was getting up every hour to put his darn pacifier back in his mouth. And I remember thinking "Right now my body just needs the rest. But once Eli is sleeping through the night, I'll start getting up earlier in the morning." Ha! That was a YEAR AGO, and look at me! Now we have ANOTHER baby coming and that's going to start all over again! So I need to give up on all the excuses and just do what I need to do! Such a practice of spiritual discipline, wow. It's hard. BUT this year I am going to do it!
So that's two things... 1) Work on patience--no raising voice, no bad words, no actions out of anger. And 2) Start my mornings with "quiet time".
And a third thing is a hobby thing that really needs to get tackled. It's been at a standstill since Eli was born, and now he's almost 18 months old! I need to figure out what I am going to do with my scrapbooking. Am I going to convert to digital scrapbooking? Or am I going to finish out with paper scrapbooking? And how am I going to get caught up on our family photo album, as there are still NO pictures in there from since Eli was born! Ack! I really need to get to work on that!
Those are the three biggest things I'm challenging myself to for 2008, though I still have a whole list of things I'll be working on too.... setting date nights with Kevin (even if they're at home), doing daily devotions as a couple (I found THIS BOOK, ordered it today, and can't wait to see what it's like!!), establishing daily Bible time with children, and finding a workout routine that I enjoy (this would be a miracle, haha).
So those are my biggest goals for the year. If you have any advice or tips that might help things along, do share! Blessings on your year!
Sarah, it might be helpful for you to listen to John Piper's sermons on the first part of Romans 7 (starting here). It is easy to fall into thinking that what we really need to do to grow in holiness is to enroll ourselves in some kind of moral improvement program to do more and try harder. Where we really need to go, however, is back to the cross to find in Jesus the power for real change and real obedience. Having regular morning quiet times and being more patient are excellent goals, but be sure that they are done in the newness of the Spirit rather than oldness of the letter.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Paul. As a mom (with the zillion more hormones that overwhelm you especially when expecting) I want to encourage you to lean COMPLETELY on Christ. There is no other way!!
ReplyDeleteRemember "tribulation worketh patience"! (Romans 5)
Some things you must accept that God has given to you to perfect you and He will bring you through it, no matter what it is!
*As far as yelling, I try to start the day with whispering, then when something comes up that "challenges" me, then I speak in a more normal tone rather than yelling. It takes about 3 weeks to break/make a habit & the more you don't accept it, the more you'll do to correct it.
**As far as Eli, I know what you mean! I've already forgotten how my 1st boy tested everything. It seems like an eternity when you're in the middle of training & not knowing when it will be accomplished, but when it's done:
"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."
Proverbs 29:17
Also, as far as sleep goes...you will be surprised at how little you can get and still function.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
II Corinthians 12:9
All that to say, I'm praying for you & blessing of getting things done and:
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Galatians 6:9
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:29-30
Again, many blessings, Mrs. C.
Wow! Mike and I agree with what Paul wrote above. Great understanding.
ReplyDeleteMP