Having trouble setting goals for the New Year? Check out these 6 simple, but important New Year resolutions from a Christian mom.
I’m a planner by nature, but until the last decade or so, I never thought of that as a good thing.
In fact, when someone accused me of having the spiritual gift of administration soon after I was saved, I was offended. The aforementioned accuser actually had to read 1 Corinthians 12:28 to me before I settled down enough to really process how I might serve God with such a gift.
That said, I can get a little control-freakish, and bury myself in micro-details and plans to take over the world, or at least the linen closet. I’ll take over your linen closet, too, if you’ll let me in.
6 New Year Resolutions for a Christian Mom
It’s a good thing for me to step back and set some larger overall goals that help guide all my in-depth micro planning. The start of a new year is always a good time to do that, and I thought I’d share my six bigger goals with you, in case you identify with one or two of them.
New Year Resolution#1: Point to Jesus
In whatever I do, be it in parenting, in marriage, in friendship, in mentoring, or in writing, I want to point others to Jesus.
I want to glorify God in all things, share the gospel, and teach the Word.
Anything else is secondary to this. If I really believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6)–and I do believe that–then I ought to point to Him in all I do, in all I say, and in all I write.
New Year Resolution #2: Be Faithful
You know that “one word” New Year theme where everyone picks a word for the year? I’ve always thought “Faithful” was a great word, and I’ve concentrated on growing that fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) for nearly a decade now.
Of course, I pray about the others, too… like patience.
I pray for my own sanctification a lot. But faithfulness is a big one for me. I want to do what I say I’ll do. I want to complete the tasks the Lord puts in front of me. I want to be faithful to the promises I’ve made. So, even though being faithful has been a goal for quite a while, I’m keeping this as a major, overarching goal of my life.
Let me be faithful to run this race until I’ve crossed the finish line (Hebrews 12:1-2). Let me not quit a moment before.
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New Year Resolution #3: Fight for Joy
A few years ago, our church spent a couple months studying Philippians. Many days, the boys and I read the short book out loud together after we finished our daily reading and discussion with Bible Road Trip™.
Philippians is full of joy.
Joy isn’t like happiness. Joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Joy comes from the Lord. It’s a choice. Sometimes we have to fight for joy. This year, I choose joy–in all things. I know I can be content–joyful, even–in the Lord’s strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)
New Year Resolution #4: Set Aside Complaining for Praising
Stop Your Complaining: From Grumbling to Gratitude by Ronnie Martin was an eye-opening read a few years ago.
I’m sure I’m not the only person who struggles with complaining. But, boy, do I struggle.
I want to recognize God as sovereign in my life, and I want to praise Him for what He’s doing. I can’t really pray for sanctification, then complain when He begins to discipline and shape me. (Hebrews 12:3-11)
Have I ever shared the time I asked God to make me brave? I came home four hours later and a whole colony of the biggest wasps I’d ever seen in my life had moved into our attic. Really. It was like Jumanji. The exterminator told me that it’s common for a whole hive to move in at once (apparently wasps throw great housewarming parties!). I spent four years getting weekly bee sting shots for wasp allergies as a kid, so this was not exciting to me. It was actually terrifying. I’m not sure that I’m any braver now (maybe a tiny bit), but it was a quick answer to prayer!
I want to recognize struggles for what they are–an opportunity for God to be glorified and for me to be sanctified (even if it’s just a tiny bit).
New Year Resolution #5: Be Present
Oh, friend. This is another major downfall for me.
I’m an introvert, and I homeschool. My kids are with me ALL. THE. TIME. I love them dearly, but I have a tendency to check out. It’s like alone time in my own head. I like it in there, and sometimes it’s hard for me to come out and interact, um, joyfully.
I want to be present. I want to edify. I want to look my people in the eyes. I want to put the phone down. (Oh, yes, I said it.) I think this is a love issue–I want to love others in a real, sacrificial way. (1 Corinthians 13)
New Year Resolution #6: Make Memories
I want my kids to have happy memories of their childhood. I want my husband and I to remember moments of adventure and laughter.
I find that being intentional about creating these memories is vital–or moments of opportunity just get pushed aside.
The house always needs to be cleaned, dinners need to be made, school needs to be completed, and there’s only enough money for the first 28 days of the month. (Just me? Ok, then.) Honestly, if we’re going to do fun things together, for me, it has to be intentional. I have to write “play a game” or “bake cookies” or “take a day trip” on my calendar.
(My husband is much better at these spontaneous events, and I know I probably lost some of you here. But… I’m over here with a 30 item to-do list, and it’s got to have something fun on it.)
I don’t have a verse for this. I just know it’s ok to throw a party once in a while. Scripture is full of them. My parties just might involve Ticket To Ride, or a National Park. Probably not a fattened calf.
Check Out THESE Resolutions!
For a guy that really knew how to set (and detail) priorities, you might check out preacher and theologian Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions. He had 70 of them, and they’re worth reading. In fact, I read them every New Year. I like this set of his Resolutions because Matt Perman has organized them into categories: The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards.
Your kids can learn about the Bible, who God is and more with this fun daily devotional for kids. With 12-months of Bible verses calendar printable sheets, your family will concentrate on a monthly focus. There are six days of reading each week, each day with it’s own focus within the monthly theme.
Your 12-month Bible verse calendar has themed devotions focusing on:
- The Bible
- Love
- The Church
- Resurrection
- Jesus
- Prayer
- The Holy Spirit
- The Fruit of the Spirit
- Salvation
- Our Father
- Thanksgiving
- Advent
Want a sample calendar? Grab your free Christmas Advent calendar here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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60 Scriptures You Can Pray
The Bible is full of prayer that you can pray too!
How do you pray when you don’t know what to say? The Bible holds the answer.
God doesn’t expect us to pray without guidance. In fact, Scripture is full of examples of ordinary people approaching our extraordinary God in prayer.
Award-winning author Danika Cooley believes that praying God’s Word teaches us how to best communicate with our Lord:
“There are so many lessons we can learn from Scripture about how to approach God and what to expect when we do.”
Danika’s devotional 60 Scriptures You Can Pray covers eight types of prayer from the Bible, the expectations we should have when we pray, and the right heart attitude for prayer.
- Praise | We adore God for who he is.
- Thanksgiving | We thank God for all he has done.
- Confession | We admit our sin to the God who saves us.
- Supplication | We humbly ask God to provide for our needs.
- Intercession | We ask God to meet the needs of others.
- Deliverance | We cry out to God for help in times of trouble.
- Lament | We bring our sorrow to God, our comforter.
- Guidance | We ask for God’s help in determining his will for our lives.
When you read 60 Scriptures You Can Pray, you will:
- Develop a habit of praying daily over a two-month period
- Learn more about prayer in Scripture
- Understand eight different types of prayer
- Expand your understanding of how to pray biblically
- Become better acquainted with God, His Word, and why we pray
Packed with thoughtful explanations of biblical prayer and practical application in each devotion, 60 Scriptures You Can Pray is the tool you need to learn more about prayer–straight from God’s Word.
Want to equip the women in your church to pray biblically?
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