Goals for 2017

Hi Everyone!

Question:  Do you make new year's resolutions?

It seems to me that is a word many have a love/hate relationship with.  And some either hate it all together or thrive by it.

I don't particularly make resolutions because in my mind that almost implies failure - like, I must do _________ each and every day of the year or I can't check it off at the end of year = FAIL.
However, I do set some goals, which to me gives me a little more grace on the path.  Truth be told, I think everyone wants to make some tweaks about their activities, routine, or character.

Here are mine for this year.

Photography:

• Take a picture everyday. (365 challenge) 
• Master the challenge of low light situations.
• Master sharp focus for portraits.
• Learn all about my new camera capabilities.

Reading:

• Read one book per month - or maybe every other month.  (not including what I read in my quiet time.)  This one will be hard for me.

Homeschooling:

• Guard our "Funday Monday" from interruptions/appointments, etc. 
• Make learning/exploring more available in the kids' free time.  (good books to read, valuable activities to do, less screen time.)
• Curriculum that is less workbook heavy and more delight-directed (need much wisdom here.)

Wife/ Motherhood

• Cultivate a servant's heart.  One that is "others" focused.  
• Be sweet! (always and especially when I am tired!)
• Pursue (and deepen) relationships...tie heart strings.

Spiritual:

• Know God deeper. (I am using a different translation of the Bible this year in hopes to see the familiar in a new way.)
• Read
• The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer  (I am currently - and it is just so good!)
• The Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jeff Bridges 

"Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth."    A. W. Tozer

I close with this prayer from A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God.

"O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.  I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace, I am ashamed of my lack of desire.  O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me.  Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away."  then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland, where I have wandered so long.  In Jesus' Name, Amen." 



- Carol


Linking with Image-in-ing and Life-in-Reflection and Mix and Match Mama