Out With The Old

We have spent our New Year's Eve taking down and putting away Christmas decorations. It brings new meaning to the phrase "out with old."

I have been contemplating if I will make any New Year's Resolutions. I usually do not, as I try to address things as they arise in my life. However, this afternoon I thought who couldn't use an opportunity to set some goals and start with a clean slate?

So, here are my hopes for 2009:
I hope to drink more water and less caffeine.

I hope to spend more time laughing with my children--to slow down long enough to linger in the moment--even if it means not crossing something off my list immediately.

I hope to laugh more often with my husband for that matter. There is much family business to discuss in the time we have together--between ministry, parenting, business, family matters and other stresses, there is more than enough intense subject matter. I want to be more intentional about being lighthearted.

I hope to look for more opportunities to point out my children's gifts and strengths--since the areas in need of improvement are often talked about more frequently.

I hope to leave places and people better than I found them--not because I changed them, but because I loved them with Christ's love.

And when I slip up on the aforementioned intentions, I am thankful to serve a God whose mercies are new every morning.

Happy New Year!