We mark our lives in milestones.

With the passing of yet another year, it’s time for a gut check.

Too often, resolutions go by the wayside long before Valentine’s Day.

I’m guilty of failing to live “in the moment” so many times.  I don’t begrudge those of you who take stock in New Year’s resolutions. However, I find that too often they’re simply a set-up for failure.

Years ago, I “resolved” to quit smoking on countless occasions.  I’d sail for a few smoke free days or perhaps weeks before giving in to that nagging nicotine urge.  Success didn’t come with some magic date on a calendar.  It finally came with true determination and surrender.

Don’t get me wrong.  I could pick up a smoke and start puffing on a pack a day again in no time. It’s one of those endless battles with me. I didn’t awaken one day and find the tobacco urge somehow suddenly erased.  It’s still a battle. Thankfully, the passage of time has seemed to make it a bit easier.

Lose weight. Stop the smokes. Eat healthy. Exercise more. Read my bible more faithfully.

All are noble pursuits.

But why is it the calendar has to say January 1st before so many of us get serious about these so called resolutions?

Yeah, I know. It’s a brand new year. Time to start over. Reflect back and plan anew.

However, if the New Year brings dread along with those resolutions… what’s the point or purpose?

Greg has written about this and reminded us before.  We should be thankful for this very breath I’m breathing. This single one. Right now.

Now it’s not to say that some prudent planning is a bad thing.

Are you a planner? Have to have a schedule?

If so, New Year’s resolutions were built just for you. Take the red marker to the calendar pages to mark the days and the goals. Go ahead. Enjoy.

I joke with my daughter and my wife about it.  Both are planners.  I am not.

Are you comfortable going with the flow, dealing with whatever your day brings? That’s me. Spontaneous action. (or lack of action)

Have you figured out God’s plan for your life yet?

Are you an ever changing work in progress, or do you have a clearly defined blueprint for your Christian walk?

Perhaps some of both.

Planners and schedule keepers generally dread diversion. Stay the course they implore. Stick to the plan.

What happens when God throws you a curve ball? Can you adjust?

I’m guilty of failing to enjoy life to the fullest.  Too often, when things are going great in my life, I’m thinking there must be some tragedy or tremendous faith testing challenge just around the corner.

Have you ever felt that way?

Is the closeness of your relationship with the Father a direct corelation with the peaks and valleys of your life experience?

Think about it.

Why is it that so many times we’re crying out to God in our greatest moments of despair, but fail to cry out with the same fervor when things are wonderful?

I don’t know about you, but I am spoiled and blessed beyond belief.

I have a wonderful wife who’s also my best friend, an amazing daughter I love more than words can describe, and I live in the richest nation on earth.

Thank you Father. Thank you for that breath I just took. Thank you for everything.

Most of all, thank you for that amazing, life renewing, eternity promising love you gave us in Chirst Jesus the Son.

Good luck with your resolutions and your plans for 2009 if you’re that type.

For us spontaneous free spirits, may we enjoy and appreciate ALL the experiences that God brings our way this year.

Happy New Year to everyone.

May you be blessed beyond belief in ’09 and may your faith grow ever stronger.

- STEVE

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