Resolutions...

I got to thinking about New Year's resolutions. I didn't make any last year. I figured why start something you know you won't finish...but then, I discovered that often if you don't make a plan you don't do anything.

The real reason I started thinking about it was due to church attendance yesterday. It was low...really low...but we had tons of visitors. At first, I thought they were mostly visiting family...but the more I listened and paid attention during greeting...it was people realizing they needed to get back in church, going for the holiday, etc.

That train of thought led me to...what is a resolution anyway? What brings that on? Off to Webster's I go...
resolution-a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner; "he always wrote down his New Year's resolutions".

For me, resolutions carry a certain amount of regret. For example, you regret your bad eating habits and body...so you resolve to eat a more balanced diet and exercise everyday. You feel guilty about your spiritual life...you resolve to read the Bible and pray everyday. Maybe, you decide to take your family back to church, start doing more than just attending, etc. You regret the time you've lost with hubby and kids...you resolve to read more together, play more, enjoy more...

For myself personally, I need to make resolutions. I think they encourage and drive me to improve from year to year. I believe a key is to be realistic in my expectations. Maybe exercising three times a week is more doable!? As to what brings this all on...maybe it is just the sentiment of the season...but I wish it happened more throughout the year. This feeling...of unworthiness...humility...might just keep us going to truly change that which we resolve to do.