Where did 2016 go? It seems like the past few months have just flown; it was July 4th, and now it is a brand new year.
Many have gladly said goodbye to 2016; we lost a number of celebrities as well as a number of loved ones at church. Whenever someone walks off into eternity, I always wonder if they were right with the Lord. Had they accepted God's generous gift of salvation? Where are they spending eternity?
This is a very important question for all of us to answer.
Did you make any 2017 resolutions? How did you do on your personal resolutions last year? As you may remember, I generally don't make resolutions, as they are easy to break and I usually don't manage to keep them. But there are general guidelines I hope to follow.
This year I desire to:
- Spend more time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study
- Continue to glorify God with my musical gifts
- Visit more shut-ins and send more cards and notes to cheer them
- Make more time to spend with family and friends
- Save more money
- Stay healthy
- Walk myself and the collies more consistently
- Appreciate our physical world, the beautiful flowers, birds and other cute critters
- Share my faith in Christ with those who need Him
- Be thankful to the Lord for all He gives and thank Him for His blessings
One of the joys I receive is the task of taking communion to some of our church’s shut-ins. I feel so blessed to be able to do that simple and sacred task. These ladies have so much wisdom and knowledge, it is truly a privilege to visit them and I enjoy this visitation immensely.
One of the things we do each New Year’s Day is to replace the batteries in our smoke detectors. The first of January is always a good time for that task, easy to remember and important to follow up each new year.
Have a happy and blessed New Year as we begin the adventure of 2017!
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 10 personal New Year's resolutions