Regroup and focus, persevere.

As we ring in the New Year, so many people have resolutions and goals and the like. There is nothing wrong with that.

We are seeking the Lord in the New Year and putting our past behind us.  Reaching for a better relationship with the Lord and persevering to better understanding.

As parents, we seek to grow closer to the Lord than ever so that our children see God when they look at us. The need feels overwhelming now more than ever. It has always been our intention to raise our family for Christ but there are those moments when we have been lax and not as focused as we should have been.

It is time to focus.

It is time to but the past behind us.

It is time to persevere.

Will you join us as we focus to BE parents for Christ?

Oh Father,

Forgive us for not giving all of us to you.
Forgive us for not always seeking your heart Lord.

Teach us Father to train our children and focus on you.

Thank you Lord for your new mercies every morning.

Guard our minds and our hearts Lord.

In Jesus name, Amen.

What is your family's resolution or goal for the new year?

Does your family have a traditions or intentional things that they do to encourage spiritual growth in your home?

Focus on what is important

Often as a family it is easy to get distracted from the main goal. The same is true as an individual.

Our kids like to imitate the dogs from UP and cry out "Squirrel!" when something has caught their attention and taken it away from that which they are suppose to be focused on. (Of course, they also do it when they see squirrels.)

Thinking about how our children joke around about attention span and intentionally distract themselves, I started thinking about what we do in regard to God. Typically, one of the New Year resolutions or goals in a church going home is to get closer to God or to read the Bible everyday. How often do we fail those goals?

It generally takes 21 days to create a habit. In my personal journey, I have noticed this is true except for in one area. The area that the habit is not created is my walk with God. Our relationship requires daily work or it will decay and become weak. We can read the Bible and study everyday for three months but then miss it one day and it is very difficult to get back in the habit.

So we have to refocus. Do everything we can to prevent that one day from happening.

Set a schedule. Everyday at X time, the family will sit down together and read the Bible. Go ahead now and plan what to do if Johnny or Jenny is not home for whatever reason. We have decided that no matter what, we will read with whoever is home.

Focus on what is important. Is your goal to read through the Bible in a year, or is it to have a family devotion where there is discussion and interaction. Devotions can be tricky for families with little ones, but getting into the habit now is beneficial.

Choices. Ultimately, as the parent you are responsible for leading your family to a Christ-centered life. This is a huge responsibility, but not an impossible one. In your prayer time be honest with God and ask for help in drawing your family to Him. Make the choice to trust in God and not rely on yourself.

It is not the end of the world if you miss a few days, just start back where you left off and hold each other accountable. Focus on God and draw near to Him.

New Year, New Goals

The common tradition on January 1 is to set resolutions that may or may not be possible for individuals and families. We invite you to rethink your resolutions, goals, and aspirations.

Who says that your goals have to be year-long? Have you thought about having month-long goals?

Often the reason we fail when it comes to our long-range goals is because they are too big. The way to correct that problem is to make the goal smaller. If the goal is smaller it is more manageable and easier to complete, making you more likely to succeed and go on to the next goal.

If your goal is to get your family to read the bible every night together, then perhaps reading a chapter in the book of Proverbs everyday would be a good starting point. The accountability is there since there are 31 chapters and the book of Proverbs is a wealth of information when it comes to the pressures of life. Once the habit of sitting down and reading together is established, more can be added.

If your goal is for your family to be healthier in the New Year, start one day at a time. Decide how you are going to address getting healthy in your eating habits and take one step at a time. Then also introduce exercise. Family walks in the evening after dinner is great bonding time.

By having monthly goals they are more attainable, but there is an additional advantage of the family staying on the same page throughout the year and staying focused.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 

Distractions

After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?"
"Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs." A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." A third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" and so he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!"

Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don't want to go." (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"

Peter turned around and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved---the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked, "Lord, who is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Jesus answered him, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die; he said, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?"
(John 21:15-23 GNB)

When you read the above passage it looks as just a typical conversation that Jesus could have had with any of the disciples. But look deeper. Peter became distracted with what others were doing instead of what the Lord was telling him.

Do you have times when God is pointing you in a direction or bringing you through something and instead of focusing on Him, your focus is on other people? I know I have in the past and probably will in the future. Perhaps God is bringing you though some rather difficult times and instead of seeing how God has strengthened you and blessed you, you look and see that there are others around you that seem to have it easy. It can be difficult if you get distracted. That is why we have to keep our eyes on the Lord.

Peter looked away from Jesus to see John. Let's strive to stayed focused on the Lord.