What Do You Want Most in 2018? Secret To Success—Toss Your Resolutions List

The pounds snuck up in a cruel game of mid-life Truth or Dare. Those sneaky ones somehow crept into my middle section and dared me to get rid of them. The kind of pounds that pop buttons, and squeeze me so tight I can’t wait to race in the house, and rip off those used-to-be-favorite jeans. While my sympathetic friends, baggy sweatpants and sherpa house shoes, wait like favorite pets at the door.

The wake up call slapped me hard, through the plethora of holiday photos. What is that jiggly thing hanging below my waist? Oh snap…I’m putting at the top of my resolutions list—wrestling match with sweet tooth begins January 1.

And I have unrealistic lists whirling in my head for the new year. I want to have an optimal work/life balance, be healthy, and finish my book, and be more serving, patient and giving, to travel widely, and have organized closets and tidy drawers like no other…

But in truth, these accomplishments are not what I want most in 2018.

We all know that a mile-long resolutions checklists soon lies abandoned, a crumpled paper in the waste bin full of recriminations. So I need save myself the snarky self-talk, and simplify to one thing, not twenty.
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So I ask myself, “What is one action that helps all things?
One thing that echoes in eternity?”

And when I boil it down to something that impacts not just me, but the ones I touch, I know without a doubt what my action is,

I want to pray more intentionally.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Because if my prayers flow frequent and purposeful, then won’t everything be better? Not that prayer waves a magic wand, or means God will grant my every whim…but,

Because prayer gives me hope.

Because prayer opens the floodgates to the grace God wants me to bestow on others,

Because prayer pours the mercy He rains down, when I fall flat and busted.

“But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.” Psalm 59:16-17

Everything I ever need begins and ends with prayer.

So I will pray these four things:
1.  Lord you are awesome. I know that you can do anything.
2. Thank you Lord. I am grateful.
3. Help Lord. I cannot do this alone.
4. Forgive me Lord. I hope you don’t mind picking me up again, since you had to do it yesterday, and the day before that and…

“…Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you. “

I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Ps 63:1-5

So ditch your long resolution list. And while everyone tells you to pick your one word, which is great, but I might be tempted to choose traveling, or organizing. (Though I don’t think that’s what they have in mind…)

Pick the action which points you most to Christ. Things like, Forgiving, Loving, Encouraging, Prayerful, Teaching, Serving, Searcher, Bible student, etc…

So what will your word/words be?

For 2018 I will________________.(Loree- I will Be Purposly prayerful daily)

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Hi Friend,

I shared with you my 2018 action so I can be accountable to you and to my Lord. Will you commit to your word/words by sharing what you want most for 2018 in the comments below?

Love, Blessings and Hope for 2018,
L