Looking back at my goals post for 2016, I wrote about how goals fit my personality more than resolutions. And they do! I am optimistic and like to see the good in each situation, and goals are something positive that you strive for and work toward = my personality to a T! You always hear the negative side of making resolutions–that most people don’t make it past the first few weeks before they quit. That’s not me.
My #1 goal for last year (besides graduating with my masters…which I did!!!) was to know the Lord more. I intentionally pursued God last year and grew in my relationship with Him more than ever because He was gracious to me and made Himself known. There are so many things that I can sit and reflect back upon and see how God was working through me and orchestrating everything to fit together perfectly. I read a quote by John Piper yesterday that said, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” Can you imagine?! 🙂
Memorize Scripture each week.
Scripture memorization is so important for Believers, and it’s something that’s gotten harder for me the older I’ve gotten. Probably because I find myself busier the older I get. I received Scripture memory cards on the attributes and character of God from my mom for Christmas. There are 52 cards, so one card per week. Why is Scripture memory so important? It’s available in your mind for the Holy Spirit to bring to your attention when you need it most; it strengthens your faith; it prepares you to witness or counsel to others (so much better than saying, “Well somewhere in the New Testament it says something like…”); it helps you to focus on the Word constantly.
Exercise 3-4 times a week.
Before grad school, I exercised every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Now that I’m done with grad school and back in the gym, I want to get back to my old schedule give or take a day.
Be more intentional about what I eat.
Eating healthy also took a backseat during grad school, and ever since I graduated in May 2016, I never got back on track (because who wants to give up eating sweets and pizza all the time?!). I’m in an accountability group with two friends and this has already made a difference. Of course, losing a couple of extra pounds would be ideal, but my main goal is just to be healthier since heart disease runs in my family.
Monthly date nights with Dustin.
While it’s still just the two of us, I want to focus on quality time with one another. I’m not going to count a quick run to Subway as a date (cough, cough Dustin) 😉 Even date nights to the movies are on my list since I married a crazy person who doesn’t like the movies.
Quality family time.
Spend quality time (aka not on social media while with them) with my family!
Say Yes to what matters and No to the rest.
I’ve done pretty good with this in 2016, but I really need to start saying Yes only to the things that matter. I’m a Yes person because I feel bad turning people down when they ask me to do something. But if I over-extend myself, then I’m left with less time to spend with Dustin or my family and friends.
This year I’m going to continue to focus on finding my joy in Christ and not in everything else. That kind of joy is the only everlasting joy I could ever have because everything else will eventually let me down. So my prayer for myself and for you is to be able to find joy only in Christ.
What are some of your goals for 2017?
