Working On My Resolution

How does 2010 look for you so far? Do you have a pocket full of miracles, I mean resolutions? I suppose being able to keep a resolution would be a miracle for some. I could list a whole bunch of pervasive resolutions like be kinder and gentler, smile more, laugh more, cry less, but God knows I do best focusing on one thing.

If you've read any of my previous articles you already know I believe we need to go beyond texting and Facebook and actually make contact with those around us. So this year I want to be more intentional about speaking to people.

We went to our local RiteAid last night to pick up a few items. As we were pulling up a young man was putting his baby daughter in a car seat. I made a point of speaking to him about our how she reminded me of my granddaughter in California. Autumn would probably be upset because she is six now, but whenever I see a little girl I always think of her. As we entered the store I asked Lily, "How am I doing?" She didn't understand so I explained about being more intentional about speaking to people. She told me she sees me always talking to people.

What? How can the person who knows me better than anyone not know that I need to talk to more people? It is still going to be something I want to work on, but have you noticed you may be convicted of things you do or don't do that others don't think you have a problem with? Think about that. What do you do that you want to stop doing because you think it bothers God or irritates others? Maybe it is something you want to do, or want to do more of, that your family and friends never even thought of.

Maybe we have this New Year's resolution thing all wrong. Maybe our family and friends should make a list of the things they want us to work on in the coming year. Now that would be a hoot. You could have a New Year's Eve party and exchange lists. Somehow I don't think that would be a very enjoyable get together, but I bet it would be full of surprises. Do you really think others see us the way we see ourselves? My bride certainly does not see herself as the beautiful, charming, witty woman I see.

The point of this mental exercise is, how do you think God sees us? If we don't have an accurate understanding of how others see us how can we have any idea how God sees us?

We separate ourselves from God. It is not the other way around. What more could God do then set aside divinity to become a human? The Bible says what more can one friend do for another than to die for them. The Bible says God loves us. Why is that a frightening message to some and why do so many people twist it to fit their agendas?

We have so many empty reasons for not believing what the Bible says. One clear message is that God loves us and wants to restore us to intimacy with God in eternity. Isn't that a wonderful message? A beautiful passage is Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus says, "Come."

Maybe not having a steady job ... I'm looking, I'm looking ... gives me too much time to think and write. We know that sin separates us from God, but the Bible also says nothing separates us from the love of God. Think about that when driving in your car instead of the person who cut you off in the Fred Meyer's parking lot yesterday.

I wonder if not only our sins, but also our convictions, and our creeds, separate us from God? Now that's a scary thought that many may not want to think about. Still, doesn't whatever separate us from one another also separate us from God?

Did I tell you we talked with Holly at Rite-Aid last night? With a name like Holly she gets a lot of kidding at Christmas. She said someone asked her if she changes her name for each season. She was certainly friendly like you would expect a Holly to be.