Christ Community Church MOPS

There – and Back Again

A New Year’s Resolution Revolt By Beth K. Vogt     Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? I didn’t. I abandoned the annual tradition of writing down personal goals several years ago. New Year’s resolutions were more frustrating than fulfilling. What were my chances of success when I lost my list of dos and don’ts by the end of January? Then I heard about focusing on a word for the year. One word. Surely I could keep track of a single word for 365 days. A life-changing New Year’s tradition began four years ago. As I prayed and read the Bible each fall, God revealed new words for each year: Gratitude Contentment Simplify Forgiveness Centering my attention – my prayers, my Bible reading – on one word for 12 months has produced tangible personal change. The year I emphasized “gratitude,” my glass-half-empty view of life overflowed when I kept daily lists of what I was thankful for. The word “contentment” translated into “Be happy with what you have” – and decreased my impulse buying. “Simplify” coincided with a year-long illness forcing me to let go of supposedly must-do priorities. This past year, I focused on forgiveness. This 11-letter word challenged me to more fully understand how to forgive those who’ve wounded me. Unlike me, maybe you could find your list of New Year’s resolutions in seconds – and you’re off to a good start at keeping them. Consider looking over your list and asking: Can I distill all my goals down to one word? Maybe you’re fretting about not having a list – or the fact that you’ve already lost you’re oh-so-carefully written out 2013 aspirations. Sometimes a mom’s best intentions – even the ones carefully written down – get lost in the busy-ness of caring for family, juggling schedules, looking for that ever-fleeting moment of quiet. Take a deep breath and let the resolution requirement go. Pick a word. One word. You've got plenty of time. Take a moment to think about one focus that you would like to stay on this year. Maybe your word hides within a Bible passage. You’re also welcome to adopt one of my previous words. No pressure. After 26 years of active duty as a mom, I understand that motherhood comes with enough pressures. The demands of motherhood can weigh you down. And sometimes your desires for improvements – no matter how beneficial – can weigh you down too. Looking back, I realize oftentimes the heavy burdens I carried weren't ones Jesus asked me to pick up. Nope. They were ones that I lugged around because of my unrealistic standards for myself as a wife, a mom, a woman. It’s a New Year. Pick a word. You’ll be amazed how a single word can change you in the next 12 months. Beth K. Vogt and her husband experienced a double-dose of parenthood – three children in their 20s and a surprise fourth in their 40s. The author of “Baby Changes Everything: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35,” Beth edits Connections and is a regular contributor to MOMSense Magazine.