It's February 1, How Are You Doing?

*This is a repost from two years ago.  I just updated the list for this January.

January is over.  The first month of the new year, with all of it's fresh hope for change and new commitments, has come to a close.  Did you make resolutions?  How are you doing?

From articles I've seen online and chatter with friends, most don't even make it through January without at least one slip-up.  So February 1st offers an opportunity to re-up, buckle down, put your chin up and show your goals who's boss.

Then March first will come.  And where will you be?

I don't want to be depressing.  I think setting goals and making plans are wonderful! (I can be described as Type-A. Ahem.  A little.)  But often our resolutions seem so unforgiving when we don't achieve as we hope, mocking us as we enter week two of the new year and we've already failed.  For example, every semester of college I swore I would stay on top of my class readings.  By the end of the first week, I was already behind.  Every semester!  And I've exercised twice in the last 31 days; a 6% achievement rate.  Nice, Heather.  Real nice.

One option to "fight the failure" is not to make any resolutions at all.  Don't have expectations, and you can't be disappointed, right?  That's just not healthy.

So this morning, I had a new thought based on some verses that we can make into an equation:

If, God is Love.  (I John 4:16)

And, Love never fails.  (I Corinthians 13:8)

Then, God never fails.

Taking that equation, think back over the month of January.  How has God not failed you?  Or, in the positive, how has He proven Himself faithful?

Takes a lot of pressure off, doesn't it?  God is active in our lives, and we can look back to see how He has protected, guided, forgiven, sustained, helped, and loved us.  Then it's not so much about us and our achievements, but God and His working mightily in our lives.  Praise is given where praise is due.

Here are some ways God was faithful in my life in January:

• We were not sick for the entire month!
• Using that husband of mine to encourage and direct me.
• Restoring my pre-pregnancy energy.  (2012 had it's ups and downs.)
• Brian has showed some amazing growth in maturity of late.
• I've been offered an opportunity to speak at our annual women's event in April.
• New Christian neighbors, right across the street!
• Providing time and giving me no excuses about opening up our home in hospitality.
• My heart is starting to rest more in the freedom of Christ, so January has been hopeful, joyful, and, well, fun!

To name a few.

Would you take a few moments today to think about how God never failed you in January, and give Him thanks?  Maybe share a few things in the comments!

And let's anticipate God's faithfulness in the month of February!