Endings and Beginnings

For many people the end of the year means taking down Christmas decorations and Christmas lights, and packing them away. Perhaps there are other things that need to be taken down, packed away, and cleaned up as well: yard equipment still setting out, a grill that still has last summer’s burger remnants on it, or flowers in pots that need to be thrown away.
 
The end of the year is a transitional time into the beginning of a new year that naturally motivates us to change what’s old and not working, and to try new things or to get more self-disciplined. A woman walked into her bathroom at home and noticed her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales. He was struggling to suck in his stomach, and she thought to herself, “You’re not going to weigh any less by sucking in your stomach.” So she said to him, rather sarcastically, “You know, that’s not going to help.” Her husband said, “Of course it will. It’s the only way I can see the numbers.”
 
End of year/beginning of year stuff could mean making a commitment to shape up your body by exercise, healthier eating, and losing weight. It could mean watching less television so that you can engage your family more intimately and intentionally, or study something new. Or it could mean de-cluttering your desk or  closet by breaking the bad habits of letting things pile up or procrastinating when something needs to be put away.
 
As we end one year and begin a new one, also be sure to address the spiritual side of your life. Yes, there are things that we need to do better; but we also need to be better as a person. Being a better person begins with God in your heart, soul, and mind. Paul said to Timothy, “…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding    promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). What will you do about this?
 
Working together to win together in 2017,
 Tyler

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