Pot's Ponderings - January 8, 2013

Have you made any resolutions for 2013?  Resolutions abound for many of us each January – even if we do not express them out loud. A new year allows us an opportunity to reflect, re-evaluate, and resolve how to live in the coming year. You could call them the New Years’ 3 R’s.  Every January many of us resolve to eat less, exercise at least three times per week, pay down debt, spend less, read more books, be more faithful in family devotions, plan that awesome family vacation, play more, spend more time with family, worry less, lose ten pounds, read the Bible daily, spend less time on Facebook, volunteer in the community, pray more, get organized, learn something new, take more walks, be more thankful, laugh more, be more compassionate, eat more vegetables, etc., etc. It is interesting that most resolutions involve doing some things less and other things more. Resolutions, in and of themselves, can be very helpful - as they can focus our actions towards positive choices. But many find following through with resolutions for twelve months difficult, if not impossible.

As many of you, I have often been disappointed in the results of my noble resolutions. We can become discouraged when we do not live up to our own lofty goals or plans for the coming year. Sometimes circumstances outside of our control can make our plans out of reach or impossible or even irrelevant.

The famous comedy writer, Woody Allen, is credited with saying, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” I appreciate that type of humour and humility – not to mention the theology behind it.

As individuals, family members, and even as a school community, may we “seek first His kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). May we commit all of our plans to the Lord and His kingdom, be open to His leading, and we will be surprised where He takes us if we faithfully follow.