Being Purposeful

It’s a new year which always calls for an evaluation of the year before. It seems to reason that the beginning of a new year is a good starting point to make some changes, implement some New Year’s resolutions or tweak some things that you are doing right. Either way it is important to do something, to set some goals, and to be purposeful in serving the Lord. After evaluating my previous year, I have identified places in which I can improve in honoring the Lord in my daily life. I’m sure you can relate and apply; and as an older woman, I want to encourage the younger.

I want to be a blessing to my husband. I have found after 29 years of marriage that all husbands need encouragement, respect and to be served. And even today, I can still improve in this area. Encouragement goes a long way by believing in them and building them up with our words. Words are powerful. Respect is using our actions or conduct to show him he has worth. When a husband is valued by his wife, he thinks he can do anything, and he will try to do anything. Then there is serving. Serving is the hardest for me because it takes effort. Sometimes I’m honestly too tired or just plain lazy to be purposeful in this area. Who really wants to pick up dirty socks from a grown-up? But thumbs-up to the fact that there is NO PERFECT HUSBAND! Remember that. It is in a husband’s imperfections that I can be used. If he were perfect, he wouldn’t need me. And so lots of opportunity to serve. I don’t want to miss out on that blessing.

I want to feel healthy. That’s a discipline we all tend to skimp on. I need to be purposeful in long term lifestyle eating and exercising. I hate to exercise, and I know what it’s like to be 30 lbs. overweight and have to plunge through the frumpiness and the discouragement of “I’ll never lose this.” But with discipline and a precious sister who prodded me through the process. I did it. And it’s important!!! This year I want to drink more water, eat more veganish, and eat less sugar. If I am not healthy, it is harder for me to serve the Lord effectively because I will not have the energy to serve, or I will just feel sick. I know unhealthy eating eventually leads to sickness and spending money on meds that can be avoided. I’ve seen it over and over. Food can be my idol. And idols are not honoring to the Lord…. And I have lots of room for improvement.

I want to be more disciplined spiritually. Generally, this resolution gets put on the back burner when life tends to get busy. Am I the only one? But I MUST MAKE TIME. I want to be more specific in praying for my husband, my children and grandchildren, and my church. I want to be purposeful in memorizing chunks of scripture and meditating on them-daily. I want to be wise. I want to have a heart of gratitude and of joy. I want to live in HIS presence every moment. And it won’t happen on its own. I HAVE to be purposeful.

I know there are a lot more things that I can improve on in my life, but these three tend to be where my heart’s focus is for this coming year. So let me also encourage you younger women. Blessing your husband, being healthy, and being spiritually disciplined will all honor the Lord and will truly draw you closer to Him.

What goals have you made this year? I’d love to hear about them!