Resolutions, no thanks!

This time of year everyone is all about the resolutions.  I need to loose weight here and tone this, I’m going to stop eating this and replace it with that, etc.  It’s always the same…every year.  In fact, I think I’ve had the same resolution on my list every year since I was old enough to know what a resolution was!  This year, I don’t want to make any resolutions because I know I will end up failing.  I was thinking today about what 2011 has in store and I honestly believe that God has something great in store for us every year.  That doesn’t mean there will not be really low lows, but think about the blessings that could be waiting for us on the upside of that low!  Sometimes we have to go through the lows to get to the blessings.  I started praying about this year and all it holds and I decided to write these things down as a starting point.

Prayer for 2011

1)       Finances- that we will get out of debt soon!  That our desire to be debt free will be stronger than our desire for material things.  That we will be wise with our money and save as much as we can, tithe as much as we can so we can be free to give to others as much as we can.

2)       Vehicles- That our vehicles would last us years longer that we ever expected and that they would get us where we need to go. That God’s hand would protect us and our cars where ever we go. 

3)       Jobs- That we will have favor at our place of employment.  That we would be successful at whatever we do.  That these places are permanent for us unless God has something better for us (and if He does we would have peace knowing the plan God has for us).

4)       Motivation- That we would be motivated to keep our lives healthy.  That we would have the focus and strength to eat right and exercise so we can be who God created us to be and do what he created us to do.  To be motivated to keep our house (inside & out) in order and clean (for the sanity of myself and those around me).

5)       Marriage- As we continue to draw closer to God, we continue to draw closer to each other.  That we would be patient with each other and slow to anger and that we would always take time to listen.  That we continue to show (and say to) each other how much we love them and never take the other for granted.  Bart Millard of MercyMe posted on Facebook, “Look how you treat your husband/wife. It can show how you treat Christ. How's your marriage?” 

6)       Family & Friends- That our families & friends would be blessed in all ways (financially, spiritually, emotionally, etc.).  That we get to spend as much time with them as possible because it is precious and good for the soul!

7)       Children- That the Lord would bless my child.  That we continue to raise him to the best of our ability.  That we would be slow to anger and frustration and we will always be positive and uplifting always showing how much we love him.  That he would continue to grow and mature in the Lord and in wisdom.  That he would be successful and motivated in school and in other areas. 

8)       Talents/Hobbies- That we would take time to work on our talents and hobbies.  The Lord placed the desires in our hearts or gave us wonderful talents and it is only right that we take time to use the gifts God gave us.  

9)       Health- That all our friends and family (ourselves included) would be in perfect health throughout this year and years to come.  We pray that bodies would be made whole, perfect and complete and that  no harm or sickness would come to us. 

I pray that this year would be the best year.  God has great things in store and if I am obedient He will open the flood gates and pour out His blessings.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.