What do you resolve to do this year?

    Does anyone make New Year’s Resolutionsanymore? I haven’t seen any posted online from anyone, and no one has mentionedtheirs to me. Have those ol’ resolutions gone the way of the rotary phone andrabbit ears on the console TV?

So, maybe many of us could stand to lose some weight, exercise more and eat healthier. Maybe weshould watch our language and go to church more often. Are there any otherresolutions that are always broken by the tenth of January?

Howabout this instead – just be kind. Be kind to your family and friends, to yourco-workers, and to those who wait on you at the fast-food place (where youbroke your first resolution as quickly as Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes).Maybe be kind to strangers.

Opendoors for people you don’t know, offer to shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk, andshop locally to support small businesses. Umm? What else? Mail athinking-of-you card to someone you missed on the Christmas card list.

Andstop talking smack about other people, whether they are someone who personallydid you wrong or someone running for public office. I think we all could make aresolution to avoid listening to the news until the presidential election isover. Don’t even get me started.

So,be kind. Be gentle. Be loving and caring. And not only towards others, buttowards yourself as well. 

Maythe Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. (1 Samuel24:19, New Living Translation)

Imyself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, becauseyour kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. (Philemon 7, LivingBible)