The one thing that will make all the difference when setting goals

The year is a bud of possibilities and like everybody else I wonder what it will have in store for me.  I hope for peace and prosperity (in all its forms) for my family and friends.  Yet, I know that there will be stuff that comes my way that I cannot predict.  I also know it has the capacity to come at me at breakneck speed.

Life has its rhythms of ups and downs and I try to control these – as I’m sure you do too.  We make plans, we set goals, we resolve to do things better.  I have no problem with any of this.  I too have gone through my checklist of things that I would like to do this year but regardless of my best efforts I know that I may not accomplish them all.I know that this year will bring its share of disappointments.  I’m bound to get into more than one fight with my husband. (If only he would always agree with me.)  I’m very likely going to annoy my adult children in some way - I keep telling myself they’re old enough to decide whether or not to take a sweater but I can’t seem to find the off switch for mothering.  I probably will make some mistakes at work, I’ll inadvertently disappoint a friend, I’ll make some choices that with hindsight will seem pretty stupid and stuff will happen that I wish I could squish back into the tube.  I’m almost certain that these kinds of things happen to you too.This capacity we have to find ourselves in a pickle of our own making is part of the human condition.  We need a savior – all the time and every day.  Here are some amazing things I have found out about God our savior:

• He never rolls his eyes as He saves us.
• He never sighs deeply and despairingly as he picks us up.
• He never makes sarcastic comments or gossips about our shortcomings.

So, in the midst of  doing life - this one thing will make all the difference:

• To remember that He loves us - truly, madly, deeply.

After giving it our best shot, we may find that we have succeeded at some of our goals and perhaps fallen short with others.  Regardless of the outcome, He loves us no more and no less than when we started.  God loves us truly, madly, deeply - in our achievements and in our failures. All the time. Every day.  And every day we have the choice of whether to receive this love into our life in a stronger and deeper way.Romans 8: 38+39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”This tells me that God’s love is:

• Immediate – We don’t have to wait until we achieve certain goals to earn it.
• Ever present – We cannot lose it.  No matter how many pickles we find ourselves in, God will never be out of love for us.
• We can depend on His love. Everyday.

The roller coaster of life will come this year but neither height nor depth will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ.I am a fan of Buddy Holly music. This little song is, to me,  a modern day love Psalm between my savior and me. I hope you enjoy it.  I pray that everyday you too will experience God’s deep love for you in a stronger way.  And that His love will come at you faster than any roller coaster ride you may be on.Comment here.