I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions.  I’m not taking a stand or making some sort of grand gesture…I’m just- well…either lazy or realistic.  I’ve made my share of them over the almost 50 years of my life. Let’s see, there has been the obligatory losing weight resolution, along with exercising more. I’ve resolved to get more organized, eat healthier, save money, cook more/eat out less, watch less TV, and read more.  I’ve resolved to clean out clutter, drink less coffee (what was that about?!), and get all of my yearly health check-ups.  The list could go on and on, but why do that, when I can just say- I kept none of them for long. 

So this year, again, not as some grand gesture, I’ve decided to resolve nothing.  Maybe I’m lazy, or maybe I’m just realistic.  Or…maybe my self-esteem can’t take one more failure.  Whatever the real reason, I’m not doing it. 

Someone actually asked me if not making a resolution is actually making a resolution not to change…hmm…?  That may be the conclusion in all of this, but I certainly don’t think that’s my heart. I want to change as much as anyone else.  Don’t we all have things we wished we were better at doing or not doing?  Of course we do. 

Here is the bottom line of what I’ve decided on the topic…I’ll make this the year of change not through my resolve, but through “God-solve.”  Cliché- maybe.  Corny- probably.  More realistic- for sure.  None of us can change no matter how hard we try unless God is leading that change.  So this year will be about the changes that God brings, not what I decide. 

I’ve asked my boys (who don’t make resolutions either- unless you count, “not taking out the trash” a resolution) to think and pray about this too.  We know God is never done with us so there are things He wants to do in and through us.  He just needs an open door invitation into our lives. 

Okay…so it’s no grand gesture, but I am taking a stand.  I’m standing still at the door and saying, come on in God…do what You must, solve what only You can.  It’s not a resolution, but maybe it’s a goal.  The goal for 2014…an open door. 

Revelation 3:20 ~ “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Praying that we all - as individuals, as families, and as the Body of Christ- open the door wide so He can step inside.

This Week’s Announcements:
No new announcements for this week!  Nothing you have to remember…Happy New Year!

What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the links below to see the past two Sunday’s curriculum: 
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Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
I was handed a very wonderful Christmas gift on Christmas Eve.  The gift was from one of our third grade boys.  It was a handmade card and note that said, “Dear Ms. Penny, thank you for all you do for me!”  He signed it and then put an arrow pointing inside the card with the caption- your gift is inside.  When I opened the card, a $1 bill fell out.  I told him how generous he was, to which he replied, “I wanted to give you more, but I couldn’t find any more of my money. My dad made me take it to the bank last week.”  To say the least, it was one of my favorite gifts of the season!