From Resolutions to Restitutions

This is the time of year where we look at our past year and forge on to the next. Many make new year’s resolutions. Did you make a list of resolutions for last year?

As I look back on last year I am reminded of one of the most growing years of my life. It was also one of the most painful. Isn’t it funny interesting telling grueling trying enlightening how growth and pain seem to go together?

We want to grow.

We don’t want to experience pain.

And yet, growth and pain seem to almost always go together. Substantial growth anyway.

I don’t know about you, but I avoid pain at almost all costs. I don’t like it. Ever. And yet, one of my main desires for last year was a yearning to grow.

Let’s take a look back at the previous year.

Where did you experience the most struggle?

Has this been a difficult career year for you? Have you had what seemed like unending workplace difficulties?

Are you a parent? Has this past year been particularly challenging with regard to your relationship with one or more of your kids?

Maybe you don’t have children but you have a parent that drove you nuts this past year.

Have you lost friends this year or had negative interactions that left you sad?

How about your marriage? Was it an emotionally charged year with your spouse? Did you experience challenges you didn’t see coming nor were they wanted?

If any of these ring true for you, as you look back, can you say you learned and grew from these experiences?

It’s not what happens to us that defines us, it’s what we choose to do with what happened.

As you look to the upcoming year…

instead of..

or in conjunction with…

new year’s resolutions…

perhaps restitutions are in order.

Amends.

Righting a wrong.

Making a U-turn.

How are your relationships?

Are there workplace grievances you ignored but really would benefit from being tended to? Don’t wait, start this coming year with a clean slate and work out any and all career hindrances.

Have you had struggles with a child? Are there apologies your heart called you to make but you ignored? Is it time to take responsibility for unintentional hurtful words or actions? Begin the new year with a clean heart.

Maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe you were disrespectful and or hurtful to one or both of your parents. One day they will be gone and you’ll be past the opportunity to make amends with them.

Is there a friend who you’ve dismissed or failed to show thankfulness for. Take the initiative to let your friends know how grateful you are for them in your life. Life is so much sweeter with friends. Friends are the cherry on top of the cake of life.

Are you married? All couples go through ups and downs in their relationship. Were there words spoken this past year in which you wish you could retrieve? We all know once a bubble has been blown from the wand it can’t be put back in the bottle. But, we can apologize and ask for forgiveness for any unkind blown bubbles. Don’t focus on any wrongs you may have experienced, focus on any and all offenses you made, and make each right.

As you begin this coming year, look back at last year, and learn from whatever challenges you faced. More importantly, take care of any grievances in your heart.

Let’s make amends for any unresolved relationship struggles.

Unresolved issues will block our potential to love all out.

Take care of your heart, my friend, for from it flows life.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
-Proverbs 4:23

Fondly,

Lu

Begin this year with a fresh look at your marriage and order a copy of “From Me to We” by Lucille Williams. Take in touch and subscribe for weekly encouragement.