resolutions Archives -

Heart Warming Thoughts for 2025

From Philippians 4 … if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good… and you will find the God of peace will be with you.

As I pen this note, it’s day five of the new year. Diamonds sparkle on ice-laden trees, fences, and walkways as I warm by a cozy fire. With above-freezing temps nowhere in sight, winter photos somehow lost their appeal! Happy summer pics of Kitty checking out my coffee warmed my heart. I trust they will do the same for you.

Let’s chat a bit about this new year looming in front of us. Are you a goal-setter? Did you make resolutions? How’s that going for you?

Perhaps you’re reading this and thinking, “Susie, I just hope to get through one more day with a little sanity left. I am not ready to look at an entire year before me. I’m bone tired, worn out, and physically and mentally empty. I cannot think of resolving for next year!”

Like me, you may watch the news and wonder how anyone will make it. We can so easily get weighed down with our daily struggles and the cares of this world that there seems no way out.

I have a personal challenge for you. Let’s make this our best year ever. No matter how busy, stressed, or worn out we are, we can do this!

Consider joining me this year on a journey. We will set one personal resolution (goal) we can keep for the entire year. I promise this simple goal can change your life, give you a new perspective, ease your burdens, and lighten your load.

Here is the deal. My one major goal this year is taken from God’s Word in Philippians chapter 4 (paraphrase):

“…fix your thoughts on what is honorable – right – pure – lovely – admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Let’s not plan to change our doing, let’s change our thinking, one day at a time. For me, as my thoughts head for old familiar territory-I Can’t Hill, They Won’t Road, Trouble’s Coming Village, We’ll Never Make It Curve,

Stop it. Today, with God’s help, I will fix my thoughts on lovely, pure, good things.

I will look into the mirror and smile at myself until I laugh out loud at that silly woman staring back.

I will hug someone nearby, call a friend, or simply raise my hands high and breathe deeply as I sing praises to Jesus.

Yes, precious friend, I will have other goals. I have to make them for my work, my family, and myself. However, this one goal will be my priority, and all else will follow.

Thanks for listening and taking the time to leave me a note so I can pray for you as we journey 2025 together. Let me hear from you. We can make this a great year.

Hugs,

Susie

Resolutions Out A New Thing In

It’s a New Year – Raccoon’s Pillow Says It All

It’s January—time to make some changes. Once again I vow to do better, work harder, and complete projects. In a few weeks, I’ll barely remember my resolutions, let alone keep them. How about you?

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

This verse spoke to me today. God is doing a new thing. God is doing …

Beginning the year with a list of resolutions to accomplish on my own strength is futile. My good intentions and resolve last about as long as it takes to open the refrigerator door or flip the TV channel. Resolutions call on me to be better and to do more.

Suppose this year, I quit trying to do this and improve that and simply allow God to do a new thing in my life.

As I write this, it is day 5 of the new year and I have already found an element of freedom. I am not trying to accomplish goals on my own strength. I am enjoying a real sense of God at work in and through my life in a new way. My focus is on Him and not on myself.

Click here for a biblical perspective on how to set your goals for the year.

Instead of making one or more resolutions that would soon fall by the wayside, I asked God to change my direction; to give me a word to focus on for the year. My focus word for 2024 is “thankful”.

Being thankful is not something I have to “do”. It is something I choose to “be”. When I squeeze into that outfit one more time, I can choose to BE thankful I have choices. I can BE thankful I can dress myself; BE thankful I can live at home; BE thankful I have food in my cabinet.

Please note: I am not living in la la land! I do have goals, serious goals for the week, month, and year. But, my focus is on God and how He wants to accomplish them through me as I thank Him for opportunities, guidance, wisdom, and clarity.

I want to challenge you to do what I did. PRAY. Ask God for your word for the year (or week or month). Let Him change your focus each day and enjoy all that He has in store for you. Write your name in Isaiah 43:19; make it personal. Allow God to do a new thing in your daily life. He loves you so much; allow Him to direct your paths each day.

I am thankful for YOU!

Hugs,

Please leave a note so I can pray for you on your journey.

You can Accomplish More with Less Stress

8.5 qt Paula Deen Air Fryer from My Family

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Do you make resolutions? Keep them? I have so many things I’m gonna do, people I’m gonna visit, calls…you get the picture.

I can proudly say I have made and kept mine! Okay, so I know the year is young. But, seriously, for me this is life-changing. I believe these tips will help you, too. Trust me. I do NOT want you to make a year’s resolutions. This is far better and more fun! (Wait ’til you see what takes priority in my weekly schedule! This is more than doing everyday chores.)

There are legitimate reasons our plans go awry. Schedules are interrupted, health and finances change, priorities change. Let’s face it, we simply forget them in a week or so.

Are you ready for my secret? First, I must tell you, my kids sent me a Paula Deen 8.5 qt Air Fryer for Christmas. So my first priority had to be to clean and clear my small countertop to give it a proper home.

Here is the bottom line. I am able to do more with less stress this year one week at a time! Seriously. With a blank page for each week in January, I first listed my daily priorities: Bible study, prayer time, preparing to lead lessons. Then things I should be doing each week such as healthier eating habits and a reasonable exercise routing. Finally I choose two or three mor major things I would like to accomplish.

IMPORTANT: High on my list are people. Russell and I “meant” to visit so many, yet somehow never “find” the time. I determined to choose one person/family each week to visit. Into the fourth week, I have had three amazing visits. Two are homebound and were elated to show their family photos and memorabilia. This, for me, will be a priority each week.

I ADDED DOLLARS TO MY BANK ACCOUNT. For over a year when we got our satellite provider bill, we talked about calling them. It seemed to get higher every few months. Because I put their number on my list of projects for last week, I made myself take the time to call them. I now have an extra $30 a month to pay on bills (or lunch out). It only happened because I had it scheduled.

A PERSONAL NOTE HERE. Russell has been gone for over five months. I do not have more time than those working outside the home. I manage DCASB office in my home, plus I have my writing schedules. I actually have less time. Scheduling myself one small week at a time has made life so much easier. I have peace and contentment even though there are a plethora of projects that I may never finish. To be sure, I will do the most pressing first and what isn’t done is okay.

Your list will look different from mine. Daily I have Bible reading, prayer, study lessons I am to lead. I list calls I need to make to banks, companies, etc. I chose one (only ONE) cleaning project. Cabinets the first week. In the second week, organize my desk.

I schedule exercises I need to do for strength and mobility. Not every day for me right now, but say three times this week. For the correspondence, I write down a few names I want to send cards to this week. If too many, I move some to next week; the same with any unfinished projects. As those get done, I can add more.

God has enriched our lives with families, friends, homes and jobs. Whatever our physical or financial situation is, we have much to praise Him for. Pray with me that we make sharing Jesus our number one priority; Heaven awaits.

Hugs,