Change

Every year the word "resolution" comes into play with conversation asking what an individual plans to do for their new year resolution. The word implies change. This is not something I ever bought into very strongly but after church this am, and hearing a wonderful homily, I plan to look at this new year in a broader way. 

There is a phrase that I have often used which I plan to adopt for my new year resolution and that is, "do the next right thing." That trickles down to every single act that I can think of including taking my grocery cart to the cart stall instead of leaving it helter skelter in the parking lot.  Not everyone returns their cart and it's such a simple thing to do, in spite needing to take a few extra steps, especially in bad weather. 

A resolution of doing the next right thing comes into play with every word and act. Often, when I have paused just a second, it has helped me hold my words, especially if they might be harsh, critical or anything but loving. This is tough in so many situations. A pause can help.

Courtesy of Pixabay

So, what change will each of us make in this new year.  A week ago we celebrated the birth of that little baby, Jesus.  How has that birth, like so many births, changed us? Or has it. That really is what Christmas is all about, allowing Jesus to come into our heart, to grow and change us and to be those qualities in the world that we are encouraged to be.