I adore new years. There’s something about flipping the page on the calendar (yes, I still have a wall calendar) that gives me hope! I can accomplish the things important to me. I can make changes that need to be made. I can . . . I know I can.
I don’t just make resolutions. I make lists! They’re wonderful things of real beauty. And they are good for me because they capture for a moment the things God has placed on my heart.
Some people don’t like the idea of new year’s resolutions. I understand. For some people, this is added pressure to an already stressful life. Maybe the reason I do like them is that I don’t put pressure on myself. They’re GOALS. Some I will reach. Others I won’t. But all of them are good things to add to my life.
So how do we “resolve” simply? Maybe we can change our resolutions. Maybe we can ease up a bit.
Instead of losing twenty pounds, I can resolve to make healthy choices each day.
Instead of working out an hour daily, I can resolve to be active.
Instead of vowing to eliminate every debt, we can resolve to pray over all major purchasing decisions.
Writing Amish fiction has changed the way I look at many things, including new year’s resolutions. The Amish life is simple—there are fewer choices, less conflict, a day-to-day dependence on one another and on God. Everyone wants to improve though. I’m sure my Amish friends greet the new year with hopes, dreams, and decisions to live a little differently. It’s one of the things we share in common . . . this goal, this resolution, to strive to be the person God has called us to be.
Blessings,
V
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. She now writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and Harvest House. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.
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I love the idea that lists are beautiful things that capture what God has put on our hearts. Thank you for that thought!
It does take some of the pressure off. Right, Christy? Less of a “to-do” thing and more like a prayerful commitment.
This is a wonderful reminder that we don’t have to do the big goals right away, but we can choose to do small changes daily. By the way, I got two wall calendars for Christmas and I was thrilled!
Tiffany, small steps leads to big progress. Right? And glad you received the calendars.
I loved the way you said this, Vannetta. I decided to make small, daily changes for my “resolutions,” and so far, I’m way better at sticking to those than I ever was at those major, life-changing resolutions.
What a sensible approach. Ahhh I feel better already. Thank you.
I’m not a resolution maker either. I just set myself up or disaster when I have in the past, and then feel guilty about it. Several people were suggesting adopting a meaningful word to use as a goal in their lives, and that I can do. I chose “encourage” because it’s easy for me to smile and that’s a start. I like your style, Vannetta!