Resolve to Thrive in 2005!

by Anita S. Lane

It’s that time of year again—time for reflection and goal-setting—time to determine what we can do to make this year better than the last.

If you’re like me, your list of resolutions might include the all-too-familiar, eat right, exercise more, lose weight, spend more time in God’s Word, put more money aside, better manage my time, etc.

But what many of us often overlook is our family life. We want a thriving career or business and we set goals and make strides to deliver on these goals. But do we make a resolution to have a thriving family? A family that really knows one another, cares for one another deeply, enjoys one another’s company, and supports one another’s endeavors? As a parent are you tending to your child’s spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs? This doesn’t happen “on the fly.” To do this takes a concerted effort, prayer and discipline. Hence, goal setting, benchmarks, time and effort.

In America today, 34% of girls will get pregnant at least once by the age of 20. 53% of 12th grade students have used illicit drugs. Nine million children between the ages of 6 and 18 are now obese—an all-time high. 46% of all 9-12th grade students have had sexual intercourse. The divorce rate among born-again Christians is 35%-- identical to that of married adults who are not born again. And in Detroit, about 35% of Detroit students don’t graduate. Thus, it is imperative that we take a moment to take stock of the health of our family life. Is your family first after God? Or is your family way down the list of priorities after church, work, and other obligations?

This year, consider including goals like, eat more family meals together, have family devotions once a week, set aside a monthly date night with your spouse, spend quality one-on-one time with each child.

There are some things in life that come along only once and we only get one shot at getting it right. And that’s family. If you’re reading this and you have a spouse and children at home, take out your pen and prepare to write. If 2004 was a great year for the overall health of your family, congratulations! But if you sense that your family life has fallen short in some areas, take comfort that God’s mercies are new every morning! So resolve to thrive in 2005!

Copyright ©2005 by Anita S. Lane