Don’t Forget!

We’re a few days into the new year now. Many of us are working toward new goals for our lives, and those goals may include our physical health, spiritual health, relationship improvements, productivity, community involvement, financial goals, and a host of other things! If you’re struggling already, remember that tomorrow’s a new day and you can start fresh. Don’t throw in the towel already!

As we put our plans into action, it’s easy to fall into thinking that it all depends on us, from start to finish. We think too much of ourselves, and we forget that a great deal of the raw material we’re starting with was actually given to us!

• Are you striving to get into shape by going to the gym? No matter what your body shape is today, if you’re contemplating going to the gym, you’ve got quite a gift. You can move. You can breathe. Don’t take those things for granted.
• Are you working on a financial plan? No matter your income, if you’re planning where to put your money, you’ve got quite a gift. You have food. You have clothing. You have heat. Don’t take those things for granted.
• Are you being intentional with working on improving your relationships with friends, family, or spouse? No matter how many or few relationships you have, you’ve got quite a gift. You have someone. Don’t take them for granted.
• Are you purposefully scheduling out your days, making sure you spend time on your priorities? No matter how full or empty your schedule is, each day that goes by is a gift. Don’t take it for granted.
• Are you working on deepening your relationship with God? No matter how deep or shallow your faith today, even it is a gift! (Romans 12:3) Don’t take it for granted.

James tells us, “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.” (James 1:17 NLT) If you are starting this new year with anything good at all, don’t forget Who gave it to you!

“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” (Psalm 103:2)

And what might some of those good things be?”

“He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” (Psalm 103:3-5)

What was your starting point on January 1? What resources did you have to work with as you looked into the new year? Take time to thank God for them.

Don’t forget that everything you have has only been given to you to manage! How will you be a good steward of the things God has entrusted you with?

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)

Stay the course, my friend!

Throw Back Thursday . . . I originally posted this January 2, 2019, but it still holds great reminders for all of us!