{Printables} Ready, Set, Go!

Bring it on 2013!

Today has been one of reflection on leaving 2012 and what 2013 holds for our family, our faith, and our finances.  My best half's prayer this morning was for God to be glorified in all of it.  So, that has me pondering.  Have we allowed Him?

This has been a tremendously busy, sometimes emotionally draining year, and there have been times I have wished to throw the towel in.  I have always been a "yes" person with limited boundaries, so this is nothing new!  But what I found was that the important things like serving others, and encouraging words, and quiet reflection on where God is leading me... those were getting pushed aside as I ran the race. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, in part, "...And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."  I realized as the year was drawing to a close, that I was running the wrong race. God is teaching me that no matter how much I strive to be the wife my husband wants me to be, the mother the girls want me to be and the teacher the parents and administrators want me to be, I will fall short of their expectations at some point.   When I take my eyes off of Him and focus on myself, I can get pretty pitiful and overwhelmed.

This year, I want to be the woman God wants me to be, the one who is fixed on the prize.  I want to be a woman who knows what the Lord says is required of me: "to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."  Simple, really.

When I think of resolutions, I am reminded of too many years of high ideals and no follow through!  So, instead of resolutions I know I can't keep, I pray I can have a fixed purpose starting today. 

And when 2014 rolls around, I would like to be able to look back on this year and remember how God worked in our lives through the good and the not so good.

This idea from Keepers Ministry on Pinterest caught my eye and it's so easy, I am pretty sure even I can keep up with it! You write down important memories during the year and place them in the jar.  On New Year's Eve 2014, we will find time to sit down together and read through the snippets that have been saved in the jar.

I have quite a few vintage jars and daughter #1 made me this adorable printable (free download here.)

Tie it on, and we're good to go!

As I run this race, Lord, let me take one day at a time and be reminded when my focus shifts off of the real prize which is You.  At the end of this year, help me see that You were in all of it, lovingly guiding and teaching along the way.

Ready, set, GO!
Y.