I have had a few quiet moments the past couple of days(which is rare) to reflect on the past year and think about the year to come. Like so many, I want to live a better more purposeful life. As I was praying and reading my bible I found many great words for the upcoming year in Proverbs. So here they are:
1)“If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and GOD will look after you.”Proverbs 25:21-22 MSG
I want to serve others above myself. My husband, children, family, friends, church, and even strangers. Sometimes I think that serving others is a big act or something that requires a lot of money. I like how simple this proverb makes serving others. If their hungry- feed them. If their thirsty- give them something to drink. And might I point out that it says your enemy. Imagine the peace that can come from meeting the need of your enemy. I’ve seen it in my own life and it has restored and healed wounds. Generosity can be a simple act of kindness. And even better God promises that if you help others, he will look after you.
2)“The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.”Proverbs 4:18-19 MSG
So simple, yet so hard sometimes. Doing the RIGHT thing isn’t always easy. But, when your raising small children doing the right thing is so VERY important. My children need to see my diligence to do what’s right. To shine bright in the darkness. When days are hard and life gets difficult, they need to see that I don’t waiver. Lord help me! Help me remember every single decision and action is seen by little eyes and hearts. Let me shine bright for them.
3)“look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. Proverbs 6:6
Save, save, save! That’s my motto this year. God has been so faithful to provide our every need when we made the choice for me to be a stay at home mom. But, we can always do better. Preparing for our future is so important. Unexpected things happen. We are gonna prepare for our future by saying “No” sometimes. Simple living is the life for me.
4)“Give yourselves to disciplined instruction”Proverbs 23:12 MSG
Discipline- it should be a curse word! No one likes it. And it isn’t easy. Last year I decided to change some terrible eating habits. I also made the choice to take better care of myself emotionally. I am learning that loving and caring for my family is a BIG job. I want to be at my very best and that means a lot of self discipline. 35 pounds lighter and 25+ inches lost in 2017, and a heart that is much more at peace. The saying that when Momma is happy everyone is happy has proven to be true in my home. When I am all worked up and emotional the whole house seems to come undone. So taking the time to take care of myself is also taking time to be a better mother and wife. But, I still have more work to do. This year I want to reach my goal. I haven’t done any of the latest diets, just changed to whole healthy foods and added exercise. Working out has proven to be a big stress reliever. I am proud of myself for doing what I thought was impossible. And I know as long as stay disciplined, any goal is possible.
5)“Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD ’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent GOD ’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that GOD corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.”Proverbs 3:1-12 MSG
And that pretty much sums up my heart for 2018.. Don’t loose grip on love and loyalty, trust GOD, listen to GOD, run to GOD! I think if I can remember to do these things, 2018 will be a great year! Happy New year!
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