A simple New Year's Plan



God made me simple. I'm grateful for it now, but I wasn't when I was younger.

There were so many things about this world I didn't understand...and some I still don't. I remember the first time a bunch of of us neighborhood kids were talking about what we wanted to be when we grew up. Everyone was talking so fast and about so many smart sounding things, I couldn't speak because I was so amazed by what they were saying and all their hopes and dreams seemed so much more grander than mine. Then one of the boys said, "I don't care what I do. I just want to do anything where I can make six figures like my dad!" Everyone patted him on the back, said how cool that was and agreed they'd like to do the same. Well, I felt a bit left out, so I thought I'd join in on the congratulations and say something really smart. As I patted him on the back too, I said, "Yeah, I agree! That'll be so cool to have a job where you can make things all day! But why limit yourself to six figures? They are so many other shapes out there with multiple figures! Why don't you make some of those too?" When everyone broke out in thundering laughter, I knew I'd said something really dumb...again.

Things like this happened to me all the time and after each incident I would pray and ask God to make me smarter, quicker on my feet -- more like the other kids; savvy and knowledgeable about the ways of this world. As you can guess, God never said "yes" to my repeated requests and now at almost 42 years of age, I am very thankful for it! I enjoy being simple, and have learned to laugh at myself. Now when I make those social blunders, instead of asking God to make me "smarter" I thank Him for making me so simple.

What are some of the perks of being so simple? Well, first of all, it humbles me. And boy, do I need it! Second, I'm my own entertainment! I don't have to go looking for or pay like other people, I amuse myself and others around me without even trying! Thirdly, my life is filled with simple pleasures and joys that come from things that are often overlooked; like the beauty flowers growing on the side roads of highways, clouds traveling at different speeds, and the smell of changing seasons. By making my mind so simple, God has also made my life; simply wonderful!

So what kind of New Year plans does such a simple gal have? Well, by now, you've probably ascertained I don't have a long list of resolutions or a really "smart" and profound agenda for 2011. Nope. I sure don't. But I do have a simple one: to know God  more, in order to love Him better -- soli Deo gloria.

I may not be the sharpest pencil in the pack. But I plan on being the most colorful and brightest; all for the glory of God alone!

"Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.' "
~ Jeremiah 9:23-24

HAPPY NEW YEAR
everyone!

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