Resolute - To Be or Not to Be

Happy New Year Everyone. Today is January 1, 2010. The house is very quiet. Dog is snoring behind me, both cats curled up on the couch, husband out like a light and my son, who wandered in around 5:00 am this morning will not likely see the light of day until this afternoon. There is snow falling of its own accord outside and not a breath of wind to kick it around. All this gives me lots of time to consider the year behind me and the year ahead.

I'm not one for making resolutions. The dictionary describes being resolute as "being firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion." So to make a resolution you need to be determined about it, you need to be set in it's purpose and clear on your opinion. This seems to be something longterm and ongoing whereas resolutions, particularly New Year's ones, are more often than not fleeting and temporary in our culture.

I personally am resolved and determined to continue to look after myself, to live a balanced lifestyle, to be open to growth and learning and wisdom that comes from the experiences of life. I'm resolved and determined to continue serving Jesus, to listen to hear His voice, and (if I'm getting any better at this Christian thing) will obey what He calls me to do.

Which leads me to an experience I have never forgotten. When my daughter was just a toddler I would often plop her in the stroller and head down town, not far from where we were living. On the corner at the end of our street was a house close to the sidewalk where an old man was often sitting in his enclosed porch watching the world go by. He was dirty and unkempt, usually smoking in an old ripped T-shirt. I would zip by this old man and generally ignore him. One day I felt I should stop and chat - just say hello or "nice day" or something. I didn't. I was in a hurry, he did not look like a nice man to chat with and he made me uncomfortable. This urge to stop and chat stuck with me for about a week and for about a week I continued to ignore the still small voice. Then one morning I woke up to find this old man had been murdered. Stabbed to death on his little enclosed porch for I believe cigarettes or cigarette money. I realized all God had asked me to do was simply show this man some care and kindness, nothing more, just a good morning how are you. And I missed this opportunity when this man's life was so soon coming to an end. I wish I could say the lesson was learned but there have been many other situations where I have missed or purposely ignored what God has wanted me to do.

So if I'm to make any resolution it is the same one I have made for the past 20 years. To continue to look after myself, to live a balanced lifestyle, to learn and grow from life's experiences and continue serving Jesus - listen to His voice and hopefully obey.