Remember back at the beginning of the year when folks were talking about goals and resolutions and all that we would accomplish in The Year 2011?
Remember?
Take all the time you need. *wink*
We are already nearly one-third of the way through the year.
What did you contribute to that New Year's conversation? Did you decide to make 2011 the year for finishing all those projects around the house? Or would this be the year you finally dump the plump? Would you read through the Bible this year? Be kinder to people? More engaged in your everyday life?
I said I was going to make 2011 the year of grace. I wanted to change my reaction to specific situations in my life and instead of responding with anger or frustration or hurt feelings, I would try to respond with love and grace. Not just toward others, but toward myself, too.
I have found that I sometimes have to perform a delicate balancing act when life calls for grace. Sometimes I need to remind myself that granting grace to my children does not equal allowing them to walk all over me. Other times I need to remember that offering grace to a person who has said or done something hurtful can be a stepping stone to forgiveness.
This process has caused me to become very intimate with my inner voice.
As if I didn't have enough talking going on in my head already.
There are days when I repeat "grace" to myself all day long. "Grace ... grace ... grace." I smile in the face of discouragement. I take a deep breath when I really want to scream. I overlook the dirty socks on the floor (this time) and the less-than-stellar job done on sweeping the kitchen. I remind myself how freely grace is given to me.
I work on accepting it ... graciously.
It's pretty amazing the number of times the topic of grace - or just the word - has come up in my life over the course of the past few months. Sure, maybe I look for it because it has become a focus for me, but even in unexpected ways I am provided all kinds of reminders.
If I had to give myself a grade today on working on my 2011 goal I'd probably give a solid B. I'm doing pretty good on the grace front, but there is always room for improvement.
We are one-third through 2011. What did you aspire to this year?
How's it going?
It sounds like you deserve more than a B! I didn't make resolutions at the beginning of the year. Somehow though, in February or March, I decided that I needed an attitude change. Call it Grace, Acceptance, or just plain stopping expecting people to behave exactly like I would like them too, I chose to call it "letting go". Not letting it all go and giving up, but letting myself live in the moment, take care of myself, and not pressuring myself to take on so much.
ReplyDeleteSo far, it's working. Like you are finding, it is a process:)
Hi Jen!
ReplyDeleteYou know, it has been YEARS AND YEARS since I even considered making goals or resolutions for the new year.
I just don't operate well with that kind of pressure - - - for me that is pressure.
BUT - - - the one goal I DO have, which is to live each day in obedience to the Lord has kept my life very productive.
I am built to handle that ONE goal just fine!!!
;-)
Thanks for playing Gwen's "No Rules Linky" party this week.
Hi again, Jen
ReplyDeleteYour post inspired me to make one of my own, and I gave you a shout out in it.
I just want to be sure that you realize I ADMIRE you for your goals and resolutions and how you are working on them. It is NOT my intent in ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM to put down what you had to say here. I HOPE that comes through loud and clear in my post, but just in case I thought I'd come over and tell you live and in person.
Thanks for making me think today!!!
I think you have made a very worthwhile, though continuous, sort of goal for yourself. It sounds like you are doing well at remaining mindful of it too.
ReplyDeleteI used to make resolutions, but now have switched to 100 things to do in 1001 days. Not so much pressure, and more about things that need doing before I drop off the end of the conveyor belt. One advantage of senior citizenry. I still have more than a year to complete my to do list. LOL
Yep, lots of goals that lasted about a month for me. Maybe I'll give myself a bit of that grace or maybe I should get motivate myself to get out of bed earlier and do some exercise. Decisions, decisions.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are doing great with your goals this year.