Happy New Year! (Welcome 2011!)

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." --Psalm 143:8-10

While some people bring in the New Year with partying and celebration, Kurt and I take a much simpler approach. We sit around the table with our kids sipping bubbling grape juice (at around 7:30 p.m.) and talk about what things we can improve on in the year ahead. They get to bed almost on time and we are all well rested for the beginning of the new year.

Last night, I made a point to include a little more focus on God by reading the kids the above Psalm. It is easy to live as if we need nothing greater than ourselves. But this year, I hope to be more mindful of God's hand in my life; of where God wants to take not only me personally, but us as a family. Of course, one of Madeline's insights of what I personally needed to improve on was speaking in less confusing ways. I guess I'm not starting out so great since I had to spend a lot of time explaining to them what the above Psalm was trying to say but my hope is, as they grow, and as we grow as a family unit, that they will begin to understand what it means to trust in God, and to seek out God's path and will for their lives. I certainly know Kurt and I could use some of that discernment as we don't even have a baby name picked out yet, with only 12 days or so to go! (Seriously, you'd think it would be easier! I now understand why George Foreman, the boxer turned entrepreneur turned ordained minister, named all SIX of his boys George.)

At any rate, I hope your 2011 is very much a continuation of Christmas, full of wonder and joy; and that you awake each morning to God's unfailing love. And that it perhaps includes a side of black-eyed peas, rice, cornbread and greens, you know, for a little bit of southern good luck while you're at it! (Hey, might as well cover all bases, right?)

Oh, and if a week from now I'm all of a sudden writing about the arrival of Aidan the Second, or Madeline II, you know why!

Happy New Year!