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| Photo by ColinBroug via stock.xchng |
I find the whole idea of resolutions very interesting. I’m not necessarily for or against them per se, but our reasons for them often have some sort of relational root. For many years I’ve set resolutions for the new year (and I’ve done it at different times during the year), as 2013 came to a close and the hope of a new year began to form, I ran through the laundry list of areas in which I need to improve. I need to be more consistent with my exercise, my nutrition, being more intentional with family time, spend more time with Jesus etc. I trust you know the list just as well as I do. Honestly, the idea of forming a grandiose plan around even one on the list was less than enticing!
Naturally, my next human reaction included downplaying the importance of making resolutions in the first place by questioning why so many of us seem to have the desire to do so sewn into our identity. It must be our evil comparison ridden society! At least that’s where I tried to conclude my self examination…
I did, in fact, table the discussion with myself to go pick up my boys from school. After all, we had a busy afternoon ahead! Homework, piano practice, making and sitting down as a family to dinner, Scouts, and then the start of the bedtime routine, which for my teenager included more homework after scouts and very little, if any down time.
Now, I understand that we can find ourselves in all kinds of seasons, but the season I currently find myself to be in includes very little self care. I’m not referring to showering and brushing my teeth. I’m talking about nurturing my soul! Somehow I was getting enough water to maintain, and that’s what my boys were doing. I found this unsettling to say the least!
Yes, seasons existed where I modelled these things better, but the Spirit convicted me that if I wanted my boys to practice a different rhythm in their lives, in every season, then I had to first model that for them.
Just as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4
14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
Imitate me, by imitating my son/daughter who has spent time watching me imitate Jesus Christ. Who doesn’t want to send out their children and be able to say this? Who doesn’t want a life worth imitating?
Almost a month into the new year, I’m creating my plan. A plan to renew my resolve, not to be a perfect example, but a living one. An honest and transparent example, inviting those near and dear to imitate anything in me of Jesus and nothing that isn’t.
John 3
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
In order for Him to increase in me, what must decrease? That which is worthy of imitation must increase and that which isn’t must go.
I don’t want to be a guide in Christianity, instructing and teaching on what was and what is supposed to be. I want to be a Mother in Christ, with many spiritual children, helping to imprint the way of life in Christ on many.
- Nanette H.
