Resolution

At the start of 2012, I made some New Year’s resolutions.  I typically don’t do this.  In my own head, a resolution set is a resolution I immediately set out to ignore, avoid, or attempt without hope of much success.  Call me an optimist.

I have a propensity to set unrealistic goals for myself.  Despite knowing this, I still demand perfection. I’m going to lose 25 pounds in the next three months.  I’m going to work out every day—NO EXCUSES!  I’m going to write a new blog EVERY WEEK without fail.  Is it any wonder I avoid resolutions like the plague?

I have a long history of setting myself up for failure.  I’m actually quite successful at it.  So, can you imagine what it was like for me to read, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28)  I read this in my first year of being a Christian.  16 years and dozens of failed resolutions later, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.

Left to my own devices, I create incredibly heavy burdens that wrap a yoke around my neck that fit as comfortably as an itchy wool turtleneck two sizes too small.  Worse, I lurch around carrying this heavy weight, barely able to breathe, complaining and acting like it was God who gave me this burden in the first place.

However, as I have experienced the love and grace of others who demand far less of me than I do of myself, as I continue to study God’s Word, and as I am learning that I am not capable of much of anything without the God who is capable of everything, I am beginning to replace the unreasonable demands I put on myself with the grace and gentleness from the Shepherd who leads me beside still waters.

My 2012 resolutions actually worked out pretty well.  Far from perfect in my execution, I was able to stick to them on some days, and others...well, not blog worthy. But my Shepherd is absolutely resolute in His grace for me.  This year, I’m seeking to focus on His unwavering, holy resolve instead of mine.  Maybe this is the kind of resolution I can actually keep.

God Creates

“Do whatever comes to your mind! Be creative!”, Norma encouraged. I sat at my friend’s dining room table with 15 other ladies and about 20,000 beads, crystals, clasps, pearls, and accessories to make vintage necklaces. As I looked at the dazzling amount of items to choose from, I started to get excited. “I can do anything! I can make this necklace to be the most unique, lovely, quirky necklace anyone has ever seen! This is going to be great!” My enthusiasm was quickly followed by another thought: “Yes, you can do anything—and it could be a disaster! You need to be careful about what beads you choose and how you use that glue gun or this entire project could be a hot mess. Besides, Norma is the one who is creative. Not you.” And with those few words, the array of jewelry supplies so beautifully displayed before me became a threat rather than an invitation. Any chance of creativity slipped through my fingers, and there I sat—frozen.

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The Value of a Widget

I love to watch the television show “Pawn Stars”. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a reality show about a family owned pawn shop in Las Vegas. A variety of people walk into the shop with all kinds of rare, historical, valuable, or just plain bizarre items they wish to pawn or sell. The shop owner Rick will typically ask these people how much money they are hoping to make. Sometimes folks just want a few bucks, and sometimes they are hoping for a major chunk of change. But no matter how much money the seller desires, and it is up to Rick to determine the actual worth of the item itself. Let me tell you—Rick knows his stuff. He is part historian, part museum curator, and my dream Trivial Pursuit partner.

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Living Free

I am no longer held captive by circumstance. The storms may blow, the lighting flash and the thunder clap, the rain pour down, or the sun shine brightly; but whatever comes… I am unendingly secure, tightly held, deeply known, fervently loved, and abundantly free.

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In the Zone

I’ve always pictured my Comfort Zone like a football field-- large, square, with defined lines that decree what experiences, conversations, and events are within legal play. If there is anything in my life that goes outside these clear perimeters, they are outside of my Comfort Zone. My game plan has been to stay within my Comfort Zone well enough to make some strong plays.

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