2015 Resolutions

Every year, I make new year's resolutions and the past two years, I've based my resolutions on Bible verses.  I know how some people feel about new year's resolutions, but I really like reflecting on the past year and making plans for the next.  I've even done a post on how to maintain your resolutions.  Anyways, after lots of thinking, I've decided to make one verse a theme for the year.  Deciding to do that was an easy choice, but choosing the one verse proved to be pretty difficult!  As I was searching my bookmarks in my Bible and praying for a verse, I came across Proverbs 31.  I've read this chapter tons of times, but I've never thought about verses 25 & 26 in this way before... So, without further ado, my resolutions for this year.

She is clothed in strength and dignity.
This might be weird, but after stressing passive voice in my honors classes for two months, the grammar is the first thing I notice about this sentence.  You see, I teach my students that passive voice is problematic in formal writing because it leaves out the key detail of who is doing the action.  In this case, it's clear that the "she" is not clothing herself in her own strength and dignity, but that God has clothed her (read me) in strength and dignity.  While this might not be news to anyone, it's a mantra that I resolve to remind myself during all times of the year, whether happy, sad, stressful, busy, determined, or whatever the case may be.

She laughs without fear of the future.
The Message translation of this verse is "She always faces tomorrow with a smile."  I love this!  It says two things to me: 1) Don't worry about the future because God has a plan and it's better than anything I could possibly attempt to plan for myself, and 2) Smiling and having a content heart is a way to praise God by showing Him I accept and trust his plans for me.  In Jesus Calling, there is an excerpt that says "There should be a lightness in your step that is observable to others."  I resolve to have a content heart and trust God's plan for me.

Her words are wise and her instructions are kind.
Earlier in Proverbs, it says, "The Lord gives wisdom" (Proverbs 2:6), and this is the kind of wisdom I want.  I pray that the words I say are words that are kind and have God's backing.  I think that the instructions I give, are not just directed towards others (though as a mom and teacher, I give plenty of directions, haha), but also towards myself.  I have a terrible habit of "instructing" myself to accomplish ridiculous standards and to do lists.  I am slowly learning to give myself grace and know that I am exactly who God created me to be, and I will accomplish the things He has designed for me to accomplish.  I don't have to have a perfectly decorated and spotless house, the best wardrobe and style, and be the craftiest and most-put-together mom on the block.  It is better to be Mary sometimes, instead of trying to be Martha.  Therefore, I resolve to be well-rooted in God to gain His wisdom so that I can have kind instructions and words for others and for myself.