New Years Resolutions

I read an interesting blog recently that challenged readers to consider NOT doing a list of New Year’s resolutions, but rather, think of a word to focus on in the upcoming year that would motivate and challenge you to accomplish what you desire. For example – encouragement, faith, study, joy – really any word that works for you.

I decided to adopt this idea for myself. During much thought and prayer, the word that kept coming to mind was surrender. I’ll be honest. At first, this word scared me – a lot. I have no idea why it popped into my head. It was just suddenly there. I mentally ran from it, but it still kept rearing it’s ugly head.

I am a self-professed control freak. The idea of surrendering anything causes me to panic and break out into a sweat. I am super organized, always on time, and in control of my world. My immediate thought was that to surrender meant to lose control. I guess on many levels, that is exactly what it means.

However, as I continued to roll the word over and over in my mind, I thought of how it would fit into my life and the things I want to accomplish this coming year. As a believer in Jesus, I imagined surrendering my writing to Him, my fears, my worries, my health, and my insecurities – all of the things that fit under the umbrella of what I would work on or try to change in the New Year. The more I began to say the word in accordance with these ideas, the more relaxed and peaceful I became. The thought of not clinging to everything in my clasped fist sounded appealing, if not liberating.

So surrender it is. I am going to try this New Year to surrender all things to an Almighty, all-knowing God who loves me. I feel better already just thinking about it.