The Fine Line...Welcome to 2014!

I have learned through the years that there is always a fine line between my own personal goal and what "God's Goals" are in my life. As we drink to a New Year (which, at my house, we are extremely thankful for!), it has been important for me to put into perspective what a New Year really means. It's more than a bunch of goals put into a journal. Although it is arbitrary and nothing "really changes" on January 1st, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what is truly important, especially if the past year has been full of adversity for you. I love a new beginning, a flip of the calendar to a fresh un-chartered page. 2014 may be that for you and I encourage you to have a new and fresh look at your life. Personally, it would be easy for me to manipulate a list of "to do's" into a kind of worksheet for God for the year… Let's see...last year's list would have read something like this:

I want my kids to be close...W R O N G...Bigger and better plans for now thanks to someone who knows a lot more than I do. Son #1 leaves for Europe for 5 months, then on to San Francisco in a permanent position.

Prosperity to allow us to be more flexible with travel and giving...Maybe N O T...how about God gives us what we need and the rest goes to medical bills, and the giving is through baking cookies at youth group.?...

Feeling justified in moving: How about a 1000 year flood and other struggles that have made us grow in ways we never thought possible.

What can we truly hope for in any given New Year? How about keeping it to a simple plan? T R U S T without worry and follow through on what your gut tells you. If you feel unhealthy, start walking and picking just one meal a day to have a treat.
If you are in financial trouble and you know you are spending more than you make, use a budget and assign no-guilt fun money. If you need to spend more time and energy on your kids, volunteer to do one thing a month at their school. Keep it simple. Small changes can make a big difference. Avoid the wish list mentality and walk with God...He will show you the greatest goals!

Happy New Year!!

Coffee Talk Mom