Here we are again….the start of a brand new year. Oh the possibilities!

Yet…it’s also a time to look back over the past year and ponder. What was good? What was bad? What helped me grow? What will I take with me into the next year?

I went back to look at my New Year’s post from 2012 just to see what I wrote. I have to admit that I was a little nervous. We all do it don’t we? Write down (or at least think about) what our goals are going to be for the new year ahead. But do we achieve our goals?

I have to say that it was fun to look back at my goals. I did okay. 🙂 However, I also feel that I didn’t accomplish as much as I wanted in some areas. But that’s okay. I’m very proud of what I (and my family) did accomplish this year. It was a big year full of changes for us. We had just moved into our house, my husband had quit his steady job to venture back into the self-employed life. My “job” changed as well. I went from being a Director of a Classical Conversations community to becoming a Support Manager for a territory in my state. Oh…and we also changed churches before the year ended as well.

Lots of changes….lots of growing!

As you look back on your year and your goals….don’t allow yourself to get depressed. Look for the areas that you did well. What worked and why? Concentrate on the positive. As you make new goals for this year, make sure that they are reasonable. Work with baby steps…especially if it’s a new thing for you. Find a way to remind yourself through the year. I find that if I don’t remind myself of my goals, I forget that I even made them!

So…overall I’m very happy with our year and I’m VERY excited about what 2013 has in store for us! I think the most amazing part of 2012 has been the spiritual growth that we have experienced as a family. It was truly my hearts desire for my family to learn more and grow more in our relationship with God. When we are willing, God is always ready! Through some of the struggles and valleys that we’ve experienced this year, we have seen God ready and able to pull us through. God never puts us through bad situations (John 10:10) but He is always there to help us through them…and always able to turn what Satan intends to be bad (or just our own stupid decisions)…into good!

Jeremiah 29:11 is always a wonderful scripture to meditate on as we look to a new year!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future! (my paraphrase)

The Future

As we now look down the path of 2013, we must continue to have a vision for ourselves and our families! Scripture tells us that without a vision we parish! So what are you goals this year?

It is important to have goals when it comes to finances, jobs, savings, etc… It’s important to have health related goals, getting fit, losing weight, eating right, etc… It’s important to have education goals for our children and ourselves. But it’s MORE important to have spiritual goals. I think this is an area that we usually don’t include on our New Year’s Resolutions list. Why?

Take time to write down your vision for your family. Seek God for His wisdom and guidance as you do. And don’t forget to include God in your vision for your family! What a great year ahead it will be!

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