Another New Year

In 2007 I hope to read more books
To spend more time in creation
Dancing
Playing basketball, however horribly

And to smile more often

In 2007 I hope to be more punctual
And more dependable

I hope to fill my life with people I respect
And to filter out the values and priorities of modern American culture
In favor of the things of God

I hope to take myself a lot less seriously

I hope to speak less and listen more

I hope to learn the value of simplicity, silence, and spontenaiety

And to write as one with honest struggles
Rather than one with aspirations of inspiration

I hope finally to turn my focus outside of myself
And to find strength and purpose for all of these things
And for my entire life
In the joy of brokeness in Jesus Christ

One year ago today I resolved these things.
One year later, I think I may have held true to each of them.

One year later, I don't have words to praise the Father for what He has done.

I'm not who I was.

And so, in 2008 . . .
I would like to wear a lot less make up
If any at all

I hope to wake earlier
And to see more sunrises

I would like to sew more of my own clothes
And I would like to start a garden

I want to write to say something
I want to trust more
I want to give more

I hope to understand humility
To grow to live a life of encouragement
And to listen

To care after what I have been given
To seek with all that I am that my eyes be opened wider

To speak my mind with wisdom
To be thoughtful with purpose

And to find what I am so desperate for

To find trust in my Abba.