A beginning for resolutions

It is the season of resolutions and new beginnings. This time of year always set us in reflection of the year past and hope for the year to come. It is no coincidence that this time comes at the same time as Christ's birth. There is no other single moment in history that so naturally divides what has gone before from what is to come. The birth of the King is the end of the covenant with Abraham and the hope of the covenant to mankind. It is the resolution of a loving Father to redeem His wayward children. I remember the day of my first child's birth with amazing clarity. There was a desk nurse who made a comment about "mom's like me" who refused help carrying our bags. Then the anesthesiologist who prayed with me before the c-section even though he had never laid eyes on me before that moment. The precious, heavy seconds between the release of the baby and his first gulping cry announcing his arrival to all who could hear. And Tricia, my OB, calling out the official time of birth. 8:05 am that Friday morning drew a line in my life where no longer would I ever be just one...going forward I was two. I had hopes, fears and an enormous swelling of promise in my heart. Every year I feel a piece of that same expectation. Just like my child's life each new year is a clean slate to be written in the pen of love. A slate is something I am very familiar with having been both teacher and waitress. In both school and restaurant we use the slate to point to the MOST important things. These are the things we want you to remember. The most vital facts go on the slate and we often chose to wipe it clean and start fresh. So as you wipe clean the slate from 2011 and begin to determine what will be important for 2012, can I ask that you spend a quiet moment to hear the voice of the author of the first new year's resolutions? Will you be still to hear the voice of your heavenly Father as He tells you what He thinks is crucial for next year? Be patient sometimes hearing Him is hard - but as my six year old point out recently -"Patience will lead you to God's Heart Mom and when you get God's Heart you get love." And really isn't that the most important of all resolutions. The greatest commandment. And when all is said and done in 2012 just like it was 2000 years ago - Love is the first and greatest commandment - "love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself."(Luke 10:27) Make 2012 important!