I may have an unhealthy obsession with the New Year. Fresh starts are like cool, mountain air to me. Maybe it has something to do with my January birthday or my tendency to want to hunker down, but January is one of my favorite months. I read a lot of books, make a lot of soups, and cozy up together on the sofa at night with my peeps and my brand new journal to write goals and plans in a fit of terrific passion and inspiration.
This year was a little different for me. I talk a lot about serving others at my blog—so much so that I wrote a little ebook on the Heart of Hospitality—a little primer on serving the people in your life. I think we’re often plagued with the haunting question of WHAT IS MY LIFE’S PURPOSE, that we forget the important work we already do everyday for the people we love. We are already serving our neighbor in so many important ways—especially the “neighbors” who live in our house. The little phrase, “Just do the next thing your neighbor needs,” kept swirling in my head.
Don’t worry, I still made THE LIST. You know the one—that says run a half marathon, make a quilt, write a book, get a book deal, make homemade donuts, etc. I’m not the queen of resolutions for nothing. But, it hasn’t been the most pressing thing on my heart. I really want to serve my neighbor in better more meaningful ways and it reminded me how often our (my) resolutions are pretty self-centered. So, I made a new list that read something like this—listen better to my children, show kindness when it’s hard, laugh more with my family, inspire don’t demand—all things my children and family need a heaping helping of in a harsh and unkind world. Follow me over to Ruth’s place and I’ll tell you all about that list……
Love your list!
I just discovered you & your blog = Happy New Year to me!…can I just say, I love you and what you are doing. Authentic is refreshing. Smiles, K
I want to be that piano teacher, and I can so relate to what your daughter said. It’s fun to sit back and experience their personalities and enjoy them for who they are while you are inspiring them to be wonderful adults, and the kicker is that WE learn so much as we teach. Great post!
Love this post! It is amazing to me how much time I actually spend sitting around waiting for someone else to listen to me, be kind to me, inspire me, laugh with me ……and I have totally missed the point, haven’t I. Time is so precious and these years will quickly pass into another season of life. I can’t think of anything better to put on my to-do list for 2014 – marked ‘things to remember to do every day’. Thanks again for your inspiring and kind words. My children I am sure thank you as well. God Bless.
Edie,
I went over and read the post on Ruth’s blog…and I just want to thank you.Thank you for speaking truth into my life. I had just texted my sister and admitted “my daily circumstances just bring out the ugly in me…they show me what I’m really made of…which seems to be a lot of selfishness and anger. I am such a loser mom”. She basically told me to thank God for showing me my ugliness so that I can pray for change. She is right and so are you. I need great grace just to behave myself it seems! I am challenged by your pursuit of God and His will for you. I want to be a better listener, a kinder mom, laugh more and inspire. Thank you for being a Titus 2 woman to me.
You always inspire me to be better, do better and love better.
Thank you so much for your last couple of posts. So inspiring and convicting at the same time. I totally agree with you on all points. Learning to seize the moments and put my family first! But only by relying on Gods grace everyday will I be able to accomplish any of these things! Thanks again for taking the time to encourage us!
This is so good. My word for the year is savor; this accompanies it so beatifully–savor time with my kids, savor the moment, savor those around me, savor being a mom. It’s being present in each moment, isn’t it? Such good advice. Thanks, Edie.
I must admit that at first I dreaded what four things I needed to put on my list but I LOVE this list: Listen, Laugh, Be Kind, Inspire!
It’s inspiring! To think about who I want to be. I want to listen, laugh, be kind, and inspire. Thanks!
Good stuff (as usual) thanks for putting the focus where it really needs to be 🙂
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this blog post.
It was helpful. Keep on posting!
i’ve never considered myself a ‘new year’ kind of gal. i’m usually still in mourning that christmas is another 11 months away. but this year, i’ve found myself making all sorts of resolutions and goals. my main goal is to focus on God’s promise of a “full life” John 10:10. also, i’m excited about putting my decorations (that’s never happened!) away so i can nest and fluff for the new year!
thanks for sharing~shayna