Saturday, January 1, 2011

One Day at a Time

I know that seeing the phrase "One Day at a Time" can mean different things to different people.  For those of us who were 70's children, it might bring back memories of Schneider hitting on Barbara and Julie's mom on the sitcom One Day at a Time.  To others, Christy Lane singing with a little twang comes to mind.  To a person familiar with AA, it's a help in taking one more step.

I'm in all three camps.  Well, I technically would need Overeater's Anonymous instead of Alcoholic's Anonymous, but you get my drift. 

So, I'm sitting here at the computer planning on making "One Day at a Time" part of my new year.  I'm not making any resolutions for a few reasons.

First, I'm not making any resolutions because I'm perfect just as I am!  NOT!  It just felt fun to type it even though it's far from the truth.  No, actually I'm not making a resolution because it's just too much and too big. 

There are a lot of things I need to change, add, or take away from my life.  (Like the chips and dip I'm eating right now!)  A year-long resolution is too overwhelming.  AND, if I want to be truthful, I'd have waaaay to many things to resolve.  More time in the Word. More time in prayer.  More time to write.  More time to read.  More variety in my teaching.  Calling people to chat more.  More time reading with my daughter.  Keeping the house clean.  Cooking in a more healthy manner and more frequently.  Losing weight.  Exercising more. Et al. ad nauseum. 

Second, who am I to think that I can resolve to do something on my own?  Without the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, I can do nothing of eternal worth.  And really, what good is it to read more or eat less, if there is only a temporal benefit in the long run?  Sure losing weight and cleaning house definitely have benefits in the here and now, but wouldn't it more worth the effort if I learn to gain comfort from the Scriptures instead of food, or the benefit of setting an example for my daughter through the actions and attitudes I display in keeping my house?

With all that said, I've decided to take it one day at a time.  Sometimes one day is intimidating enough! Especially when you are attempting to mindfully live your day instead of just letting it happen.  BUT I know for a fact, that God can and will give me grace to work through one day at a time. 

That's how He works you know.  One day at a time.  His grace is just like the manna He provided in the desert.  He gave enough to last one day.  There was always enough, but you couldn't store up for tomorrow.  You had to wait and get the manna for tomorrow...well, tomorrow.

So, no New Year's resolution for me.  I going with this day to day thing. 

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Matthew 6:34

3 comments:

Katie Beth said...

I love your writing style; the way you frame reality makes me smile! New Year's Resolutions are over-rated, I agree. He already has good works prepared that we should walk in them (Eph.2.10). I struggle finding them and not my own will. "It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." Jeremiah 10.23

mamazee said...

if you want to lose weight, come be my friend at www.loseit.com - (I'm Stephanie F.) they say, if you have friends there you're more likely to actually lose the weight. I just started three days ago, and have lost zero pounds :) - but i came here from aboverubies (stephanie in canada) and thought i'd mention it - this isn't a new year's resolution for me, either - just hopefully one more little prod to do what i know is good for me :)

Love your blog and the way you express yourself :)

tsuche said...

Thanks Betsie for your post. One Day At A Time

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