"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." ... Jeremiah 29:11

"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." ... Luke: 12:31

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope." ... Psalm 16:9.

The New Year is traditionally a time to take stock. So is a birthday. Thus, for most of my years, the first week in January (which, in my case, includes my birthday), is a time to reassess my life, and resolve to make changes.

For many years, my personal discipline resolutions fell into the "more" or "less" categories. More.exercise, study, reading, prayer, praise, and decluttering. Less consuming, collecting, complaining, spending, and cluttering. Broader-scoped resolutions included finding better ways to reach out and accommodate the needs of others and the needs of our planet.

Throughout the year, I worked in earnest to fulfill expectations based on these pledges made to myself. No doubt, some growth of character and person resulted from my intentionality. And I pray, some good accrued to others along the way. But, when I inevitably fell short, I questioned my ability to self regulate, and at times even my worth as GodÕs child.

Mercifully, over the years, my focus has shifted from needing to "get it right" for God, to allowing God to get me right for Him. My attention is focused more on what God wants me to become rather than what will become of me.

When our granddaughters, Anna and Katherine, want our undivided attention, they go to great lengths to get it. When all else fails, they take our faces in their little hands and turn our eyes to face them. In a similar way, God beckons us to engage Him. When we drift away or turn our attention too long to things not of His Kingdom, He uses life events or other humans to direct our gaze back to Him. Like our granddaughters, who don't care that we are flawed or frazzled when they solicit our attention, God wants us to come to Him, just as we are, to seek His face, to discover His will for our lives....and all the details will follow. All else will be added in the measure needed to accomplish the goals set by God for His purposes. No stress, no strain! Just trust! I can rest in the knowledge that He has a plan for me that includes peace and not evil. He says he will give me a future and a hope. ThatÕs good enough for me this year!

My favorite verse of "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" is my New Year's Prayer... in place of any resolutions for 2004:

Thou art giving and forgiving.
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other;
Lift us to the joy divine. Amen.

Contributed by Donna S.
Published Sunday January 4, 2004
Week 6 of Liturgical Year C