What Will the New Year Bring?

I meant to write something days ago, but 2018 has started out with a bang. Like, the kind of bang we need one of those air-purification bomb things in our house for. We didn't have the flu at our house, but we had some sort of bug that didn't want to leave. Then other things happened and demanded time. So, on this freezing-rain, no-school, it's-best-to-stay-home morning, I am going to write! Happy New Year, everyone!


Last year I jumped onto the Word of the Year Train. My word was deliberate. I tried to be deliberate with every decision and plan I made. I didn't always succeed, but I tried. We had some major life events that took over and became so consuming that all I could do for a while was deliberately survive. Still, the idea was there, and I tried.


As 2018 began to dawn, I did what we all do - look back and evaluate. Did I deliberately plan? Did I deliberately succeed? Looking at all the things I failed at... remembering all the times I failed...because I never even tried... thinking about all the days that swept past as I could only tread water and try to stay afloat...I could have easily come to the conclusion that I was anything BUT deliberate last year. Again, I succeeded because I tried. I may have not had as much control as I would have liked, but I didn't give up. I never threw in the towel.


The question became, am I going to have a WORD for 2018. And the answer became, yes. I sat and thought about it. What would the word be? After all, there are how many to choose from?? Soon it came to me and it felt so right I knew this was my word.


                                                        CONSISTENT


Webster defines it this way: marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction  That last part is the idea I want to carry into this year. Free from variation or contradiction. Does my life, do my actions vary and contradict themselves? Is what I say agreeable to way I spend my time?  Do my thoughts and ideas bring harmony to my home and relationships? Am I steady in what I do or am I haphazard and bouncing like a loose ball down the court being chase by a very uncoordinated, clumsy lady?


My prayer is that you will see consistency in me. That you will continue to see a woman with deliberate intent to live out who she is in Christ. That when I cross your mind you will think of a woman who is steady and sure. Of my faith. Of my identity, Of my purpose.


That said, let me also say this, do NOT expect me to be perfect. You will be sorely disappointed. That is the one thing I can most certainly promise you. I am not, nor will I ever be, perfect while walking this earth. If you're looking for perfection, go somewhere else. Go to God, because He alone is perfect. When you look at me, think, she's trying. She might have failed today, but at least she is trying.


What will you try this year? Did you make a list of resolutions? Do you have a word for the year? Goals? Dreams? Life-altering decisions?