Being Resolute

Resolution {rez-uh-loo-shuh'n}: a resolve or determination, the mental state or quality of being resolute.

I'm not a New Year's resolution kind of gal. I've made the obligatory weight loss and gym goals many years, only to go the way of the rest of the resolutioners by January 31. I've had one successful change - in 2004, I gave up the 6+ Mountain Dew's and Dr. Peppers I drank daily for water and diet beverages and have not looked back.

With 2012 being a year of big change for the Stoker family, my "resolutions" aren't the typical variety. Yes, after July, I will need to lose some baby weight and see the inside of the gym pretty frequently, but my goals this year are more important than my pants size.

This baby I'm carrying belongs to God and he's trusting Clay and me to raise him/her. That's a HUGE responsibility. God created me- He knows my flaws and my many shortcomings. What's awesome about God is that He doesn't see those things, but instead, sees my potential and He trusts goofy ol' me to bring a life into the world and to nurture it for Him.

With that being said, this year is a time to change the things that cross my mind and my lips. I know that everything that enters my mind makes up my attitude, my words and my actions, so I want everything rattling around in there to be pure. Pretty soon, every word I say will be heard by tiny, impressionable little ears, so those words need to be sweet.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Clay and I have a very strong friendship and an incredible marriage, and with the addition of a baby, it's vital for us to nurture both relationships. We will still have to find time to spend together, just the two of us, playing Monopoly on Wii or cuddling on the couch. Just because our spare moments will be filled with feedings and diaper changes doesn't change the necessity of doing "just because" things for each other. Our family will only be as strong as our connection with one another and I pray that God will continue to show us how to keep up our relationship through the busyness of life.

If a resolution is a mental state, I'm already there. I was there when I committed my heart to Christ and to spend my life with Clay. It's only because of God's calling that either came to be and it's only through God's help that I can see these resolutions through.

What are your resolutions?