Memory Monday: A Fresh Start (Proverbs 16:3)

It's the start of yet another year. We've all got a clean slate, a year of calendar pages that are open and full of possibility. Lots of people like to make resolutions at this time of year, but I find that resolutions don't generally get me very far. As our pastor said yesterday, "If resolutions worked, we'd all be fit, skinny and rich."

The problem with resolutions is that we tend to set the bar ridiculously high. I'm not a super organized person, and there have been many years on January 1 that my resolution has been to become a person who has "a place for everything and everything in it's place." Guess how often that works. Yep, I still file by putting things in piles.

Instead of resolutions, this year spend some time asking God what direction He wants for you this year. Use the start of this new year to discover where God is leading you. I know that in 2011, God has amazing plans for you and your children. Take a few moments to look around and see where God is working. When you see Him working, join Him.

The first of the year is also a good time to sit down with your family and set some family goals for the year. Find our from your kids if there are new things they want to try or learn. Discover what each other's dreams are for the year. See if you can't go about fulfilling some of them. As you sit down and plan your year, keep in mind this week's Memory Monday verse: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:3). As you make your plans for this year, remember to give them to God.

Use this opportunity to teach your kids to give their plans to God as well.

• As you make plans and set priorities for the year, pray together as a family that God would direct your steps this year. Ask Him to place people in your lives that you can help and to give you opportunities to share God's love with others. If your children see you turning your plans over to God, they will gain a better understanding of the importance of doing so.
• Talk with your children about how we can make plans, but we always need to be open to letting God change them. God's plans are always better than our own even if the change in plans causes disappointment in the short-term.
• Let your children be active participants in helping to plan things. Help them to look around their community and find needs that they can meet. Show them how to look for places where God is working and find ways to join Him.

As you plan your year with your family, put aside the resolutions and create a plan that you commit to God. May 2011 be filled with possibilities and amazing blessings from God.