Finding Excuses for your Resolutions?

After about a one month hiatus from the Internet in general, it's time to get 

back in the swing of things, and what better day than the twelfth day of 2012?

I believe it's the coldest day of the year outside, and although we've only had

a couple inches of snow, it was mad chaos on the roads this morning. It took

Jason 2 & 1/2 hours to get to work this morning. I find myself one of many 

people wondering how such a little snow caused so much trouble for a town

supposedly used to handling winter weather. It's not like Tulsa (a.k.a. T town

where I went to college) where the whole place shuts down for a half inch of 

snow. Although, I think last year most likely cured Tulsanians of any ignorance

of what to do when it snows. I believe they had several feet of snow over the

winter last year. 

What happened in my hometown today must be a result of too many people 

thinking, It's just a dusting. No big deal. Even those responsible for preparing

the streets with salt, I think did so a bit late. So, everyone and their mom went

out this morning, the small amount of snow we had was pack down causing 

all kinds of accidents, and the temperature is crazy cold so that spots are 

refreezing causing, you guessed it, black ice. Enough venting and back to 

things that you all actually care about. 

What did I write about last time? Ah yes, discipline. Ouch! How are the 

resolutions coming along? If you're like me, you're struggling to keep up

with self-inflicted expectations. I have been working hard on getting my

house in some type of order, but I find that after a morning of de-cluttering,

I'm completely spent and have a hard time maintaining productivity. 

Excuses? I have one... in the form of a tiny human being growing by leaps

and bounds inside of me. The nesting instinct has kicked in high gear (even

though I have quite a ways to go), which is the main source of my cleaning

fits. 

Oh, and did I mention Jason had his appendix out emergently last week? 

That was exciting and included an entire night in the ER with surgery at 5 a.m. 

I feel like I'm still catching up from that night devoid of sleep. You'll be happy 

to know that despite the typical case of "man-itis" (wives you know what I'm

talking about), he's recovering quite nicely. Why is it that men act all stoic 

and low maintenance in the hospital, a literal dream for their nurses, but

are the opposite at home? Giving him credit, Jason's case of man-itis wasn't 

severe, but enough for this pregnant mamma. 

Back to the main point of this post. Have I stepped up my Bible reading 

(one of my main goals for 2012)? Well, somewhat, but not as much as I 

should. Mornings are too hectic, afternoons I find myself dozing on the couch, 

and by the time evening comes, I'm completely exhausted. So what's the 

solution? I say to myself, "Stop making excuses and do it!" More importantly, 

I'm praying for the Lord to help me with self-discipline. Thank the Lord He's 

faithful always and especially when we're not. You know what I love about 

the Lord? Even when we get caught up with ourselves, He doesn't condemn 

us. He simply loves, forgives, and patiently waits for us to adjust our focus to 

where it's supposed to be... on Him. 

I pray your focus, as well as mine, will stay exactly where it should, and that 

we don't get too caught up with ourselves or our households to spend precious 

time with our Father and Creator in Heaven. 

Resolute in Resolutions?

The new year will be upon us shortly. 2012... can you believe it? New years
come with the hope of new beginnings. Already this week, I've noticed what 
seems like more runners out hitting the pavement in what I'd imagine is a 
head start on their resolutions. One somewhat older gentleman I observed 
looked like he should've had a paramedic following him down the road... just
in case. 


The end of one year and the start of another causes me to ponder what I'd 
like to change in my life. If I could narrow it down, I want to be more disciplined 
when it comes to my quiet time with the Lord, be sure to actually open my Bible 
daily and in my housework. It's been difficult having two kids four and under 
and being pregnant to keep up with the house and laundry. It's much easier to 
sit and type than to hall around the vacuum or heaping baskets of clothes that 
never end. And as far as my Bible reading and prayer time, well I don't have 
any excuses for that. 


I'd also love to acquire a literary agent this next year. I'm trusting the Lord will
continue to guide me in this search, and all will come to pass in His good 
timing. In the mean time, I continue to refine what I've written and have started
on a new project. 


I love the idea of new beginnings. Intentions are great, but I can't help but
think about follow through, that discipline deal. How can I be sure to not
let the new changes slip away as the months go by? 

1. Take a lesson from Nike and "Just do it!" Stop making excuses.
2. Ask the Lord for help when I just don't feel like it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). 
3. Remember that when I work, whether at my job or doing laundry at home, I do it for the Lord. Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

I take these points to heart as the new year approaches. Do you plan to make

any New Year's resolutions? Do you have a plan or strategy on how to keep them?