Happy New Year

Two years ago, my New Year's resolution was to stop smoking. For those of you who are disappointed to discover that I ever smoked, I apologize. However, you can take comfort in the knowledge that the habit which I took up as a teenager, ended on December 30, 2004. Last year, my resolution was to stop using cuss words. Unfortunately, I am still working on that one! There are a few words I have all but abandoned but others still slip out.

I am telling these facts about myself in an attempt to begin this year's resolution on the right track. What I have decided to do in 2007 is not something I have to give up, lose or go without. It is more of an attitude than anything else. It is an attitude that comes from a desire to live up to what God wants for me and from me. Anything else is a total waste of time. He does not want me to worry over what others think of me nor does He want me to shrink in fear over all that could go wrong. God wants me to trust Him in everything that I do.

God also does not want me to pretend to be something I'm not in an effort to please others. Instead, He wants me to be real. He can't use me if I waste time trying to be anything other than that. The Bible assures us that God made each of us with specific purposes in mind. If we live our lives afraid of failure or of being misunderstood, we will surely fall short of His desire for us. I, for one, plan to do all I can to not let God down. He knows my flaws and He loves me anyway. I have nothing to fear except the awesomeness of God, who tells me through His Son, to not be afraid. So for 2007, I resolve to live life with no fear and trust that He will take me farther than even I can imagine.

Happy New Year everyone!

ANYWAY

by

Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may Accuse you of Selfish, Ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be Honest and Frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Because in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.