To Begin Again

It's time to start the next phase of life.

Most people think about a fresh start when New Years arrives. A fresh calendar signifies a clean slate. Last year's mistakes and shortcomings are behind, not to be brought into the next phase of life.

Last year was a very good one for me. I made a DOZEN resolutions at the beginning of the year, and managed to succeed in all of them, to a significant degree. It took a lot of work, and a lot of revisiting of the original list. I just couldn't keep all my goals in mind.

This time around, I'm making a very short list. Actually, it's not my own list, but a short list of goals God has put in front of me. Several months ago, God impressed on me three specific areas I needed to work on: Prayer, writing, and weight control.

Tough stuff! I think I've finally got my weight under control. But how can I find time to write regularly? Writing when I have spare time isn't really working out, either. And prayer? I can pray all day and never feel like I've covered everything I ought to pray about. If God wants me to pursue these goals, I'm going to need a lot of heavenly help.

Maybe that's the key. Like it says in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." I may get more out of the coming year than checking off things on a sheet of paper.