New Year

January 1, 1985

Dear Diary,

Hi! My name is Carol Lynn Buell. I’m starting out a new year with a new resolution. It is to not take my cousin Glen’s jokes so hard!

-C.B.

This was my diary entry for the year I turned eleven. I’ve traded the diary for a journal, and I’ve exchanged resolutions for goals. At the beginning of each new year I spend some time surveying the goals from the previous twelve months and give thought to what I’d like to accomplish in the days ahead.

On a crisp white page I write “Goals for 2010” or the appropriate year. I list each goal, whether it be big or small, concrete or abstract. Then each year, down the side of the page I write Proverbs 19:21. It says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” This is my reminder that it doesn’t matter what I plan, God may have other ideas for my life.

Then I take time to pray over my goals for the year. During that prayer time, I begin asking God for a theme verse. Usually, God has already placed a thought or theme in my head and heart about the year. Last year my theme verse was John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

All during the year, I reflect on that verse. During different times, it means different things to me. I’m still praying on my verse for this year, but I have some ideas where God is taking me.

How about you? How do you begin each new year? If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to make goals now. Will you join me in praying?

Heavenly Father,

Lord above all, you alone are worthy to be praised. Thank you for my life. Thank you for 2009 and the blessings that came out of it. As I embark on a new year, it’s time for me to reflect on what I’m doing each day. Am I pleasing to You? Am I brining You glory? Help me, God, to have an obedient heart and a submissive spirit. Show me this year how you want me to help. Put others in my path that need to be reminded of Your love. Help me to show it in a real and physical way. When friends ask me to pray, help me to stop and pray immediately with them.

Make me like the Samaritan and not be afraid to get my feet dirty. Let others view my life and see You at work. Lord, may this year be one I will never forget. Do a good work in me. Use me to do Your will and Your service. Amen.

p.s. I don’t take Glen’s jokes so hard any more. He does still tease me from time to time, but he is also one of my biggest encouragers in my writing. Thanks, Glen.