Running into the New Year – Review and Plan for a Great Year!

“Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes.” Miss Stacey in Anne of Green Gables

Here’s a replay from my last post…….”What a great time of year!  You know that feeling – one of amazement (and a bit of disappointment) that another….year has come and gone, and yet, there’s the anticipation and excitement that things just might be different in this new year”

Now, can you hear the music, as if on an old record player beginning to wind down, then coming to a groaning stop!  Are you catching my drift?  

Those lines from my last post are so true, but then the weeks pass by and reality hits.  The reality that I’m still the same person I was last year!  And my family has the same issues they had last year, and my home is still in need of major organizing and a schedule.  Ouch!

Don’t worry – there’s hope!  With God all things really are possible.  We are made in His image, and so, we are capable to do what He calls us to do!  We are called to be:  helpmeets and lovers of our husbands; mommas to our children; managers of our homes, and friend to the friendless.

Just like the recent holiday season and the past year, this year to come is super-filled with activities and expectations.  And so it makes sense we spend time finding ways to be more efficient with our time; be more financially responsible; be more home and family-centered – so our family will be strong and faithful.

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 1 Corinthians 9:19

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  Deuteronomy 6:7

Start At The Very Beginning

Each year we get to “start at the very beginning, a very good place to start” (yes, I’m humming Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music).  We get new beginnings all the time — January — Monday — the first step out of bed!  If you’re not feeling quite like Maria in the Sound of Music, not to worry!  Not all of us love new beginnings. ;)

The start of the new year is like a mega-Monday!

And for those of us who aren’t Monday lovers, this can be a challenge!  I’m a mix.  It’s a love-hate relationship for me and Monday!  I’m not crazy about giving up the freedom the weekend offered, and yet, I’m ready to dig in and be proactive.  I am still flesh and, although my spirit is willing, my flesh can be quite weak!  This is where prayer and time with God come in.  He usually lets me know what’s important, even though I don’t always want to hear it.

After time with God, asking Him what He wants me to do today, this week, this year, it’s time to review.  The end of something is always a great time to review.  It’s the perfect time while it’s fresh in our minds.  The W’s and H’s of good writing come in here.

–  Who did we serve, bless, influence?  Who wasted our time, our thoughts, our energy?  (Yes, not everyone is good for us!)

–  What did we do with our time, our energy, our thoughts?  What wasted our time, our energy, our thoughts?  What was accomplished?  What worked, what didn’t?  What improved our home life, our relationships?  What hindered them?  What would you change in your daily schedule, the running of your homeschool, or in your daily routine?

–  When did we feel successful in our goals, our schedule, our relationships – or not?

–  Where are we in our plans and dreams?  Where would we like to be in a year?  Where did I put last year’s plan?  (just making sure you’re still reading!)

–  Why did we do what we did?  Were our ‘why’s’ real or did we find they were based on someone else’s ideas?  Was our main ‘why’ to accomplish much for the glory of God?

–  How did we get things accomplished, or how did we get sidetracked?  How would we like life, family, schedules, and relationships to look this year?  How’s our marriage?  How’s our relationship with our children?

I encourage you to take time.  Time alone, time with your hubby, and time with family  – remembering this past year.  Review, ask, and answer questions.  Consider the line from the song, Do-Re-Mi – “When you know the notes to sing, You can sing most anything!”  Things really can be different this year!

So let’s get excited about this new year!  We each have a new year to run into.  And yes, I said run!  I can slink into it, avoiding the responsibility of managing my home and family, or I can run, considering all the things I hope to accomplish and see changed.  Let’s encourage one another in our quest to live orderly and productive lives, lived for the glory of God.  He gave us this one life.  I choose to give it to Him.  Will you?  What a great time of year!

Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body….yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.   Romans 4:19-21