2016HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year celebration. I have loved every minute with my family.

When I was younger I used to ask my mother what she wanted for Christmas. Her response was always the same,

Don’t buy me anything. I just want time with my family.”

That used to bother me to no end. I mean, seriously, everyone has something they want for themselves, right? Well, fast forward more years than I care to admit and I get it. I’m that mother now. Honestly, more than anything wrapped under a tree, I just want time with the people I love.

I have been blessed this break to get my Christmas wish. For the first time since my son has been at Georgia Tech, he has had a full month off for the Christmas break. I’ve had both of my children home and it has been wonderful.

Now that the new year is upon us, I find myself looking forward. A new year is like a blank slate, an empty book just waiting for the pages to be filled.

How do you face a new year? Do you make new years resolutions?

Did you know:

  • 45% of Americans make new years resolutions.
  • 38% of Americans never make new years resolutions.
  • Only 8% of Americans succeed with their new years resolutions.
  • 24% of Americans never succeed with their new years resolutions.

The top ten new years resolutions are:

  1. Weight Loss
  2. Getting Organized
  3. Spend Less, Save More
  4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest
  5. Staying Fit and Healthy
  6. Learn Something Exciting
  7. Quit Smoking
  8. Help Others in Their Dreams
  9. Fall in Love
  10. Spend More Time with Family

I’m not sure I fully understand number 8. Thankfully, I’m already making progress with number 10. With a success rate of 8%, I think we should reconsider the thought of new years resolutions.

I, personally, do not make new years resolutions. I find that I don’t stick with them. I come out of the gate strong and then lose steam somewhere between March and May. I’m part of that 24% that don’t succeed. Why? I’ve thought about it and here’s what I’ve determined.

New Years Resolutions focus on what I can do.

There lies the problem with the success rate. I can’t do it on my own. Why set myself up for failure? I’d much rather focus on God and what He can do than what I can’t do. His success rate is much higher than mine. In fact, He never fails. Job 42:2 says,

I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted.”

This year, I am challenging myself to look into God’s Word and record a list of what He says He is going to do rather than focusing on what I can do. Let’s face it, I can’t do anything successfully without Him. He told us so in 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.”

Why don’t we generate a list together. Go to the comments and post something you’ve found in the Word that God says He will do and explain how you see it apply to us. I’ll start you off here:

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says,

The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”

Therefore, if He calls you or I to do anything in 2016, He promises to do it, whatever it is, through us. The burden of success is on Him, not us. We simply have to be willing to yield to Him. He’s looking for willing vessels.

Okay, your turn now. Please don’t reply in an email or on Facebook or other social media. Hit the comments so we all can see your responses. This should be a fun way to kick off the new year.

1-2-3, GO!