Relationship Resolutions (2018)
I love New Year’s. Do you want to know why? Well the truth is that coming towards the end of every year I am tired, I am exhausted and much like a ship coming in to port after months at sea, I feel battered by the year’s experiences. I do not know if you can relate but I’m pretty sure it’s a reality we all know of. Since I was a teenager, after reading ‘The Seven habits of highly effective teens’, a book I strongly recommend for teenagers. I have always looked towards new beginnings as an opportunity for refreshing. It could be the start of the week, the start of a new month, or just the blessing of another day. The bible speaks about the mercies of God being new every morning, there is something about newness, something about an opportunity to start fresh that excites us. And I guess this is why New year’s resolutions are always going to be a thing. Unfortunately, these resolutions often burn out by march and then we tend to fall into the same pattern from the previous year as the storms of life come against us. And sometimes this reality may discourage us from even trying. I do not know if you have ever experienced that new mercy from God every morning, especially after you’ve messed something up the day before, but if you have, even a little bit then you would understand why you just can’t give up on being resolute.
What is a resolution? It is a FIRM decision or plan of action. In order to make a FIRM decision it means that it must come from deep within us. The bible says that ‘As he thinks in his heart so is he’ (prov 23:7). Psychologically, we should note that resolutions are more than just an expected activity, much like giving gifts for Christmas. It is mentally preparing yourself to engage in a particular behaviour at a particular time, and yes if your discipline falters so will you, but you will have prepared your mind for an outcome. And trust me that is very important.
Because I find this to be something important I believe that resolutions should grow out of relationships. When these relationship resolutions are planted like seeds in the soil of your refreshed and fertile heart, they can grow and branch off into specific fruits in your life. Here are a few relationship resolutions which I believe we should all consider for the upcoming new year.
- Resolution for children of God: Every person who claims to have a relationship with God should resolve in his/her heart in this upcoming year to grow closer to Him. To improve in their faith and honour of him. To assess their relationship to him as it was in the previous year and point out areas where they can improve. Planting such a seed (growing closer to God in the upcoming year) will no doubt yield life changing fruits which will make a difference in your life in the upcoming year. This is a resolution every child of God should resolve to cultivate in the upcoming year.
- Resolution for Husbands: if you are a husband or you will be in the upcoming year you should resolve in your heart in this upcoming year to be a husband according to the will and purpose of God. Resolve in your heart in this upcoming year to be the man that your wife needs, a man who loves, covers and is merciful, reflecting the nature of God in the way that He loves His church. This is a resolution that every husband should make and constantly revisit throughout the year, such a seed is worth planting in the soil of your heart in this coming year.
- Resolution for Wives: if you are a wife or you will be in the upcoming year your resolution should be to be a wife after God’s own heart. Operating in a spirit of submission, wisdom and virtue, honouring, respecting and helping your husband. Being the woman that he needs in every aspect of his life. The bible outlines what is expected from both husbands and wives and so returning to the word for a better understanding of this relationship resolution is something that both husbands and wives should engage in before the new year begins.
- Resolutions for parents: if you have the responsibility of nurturing someone in your care, as a parent you need to resolve in your heart to leave a legacy of faith by modeling the characteristics and attitudes that you would like to see your children develop. This means resolving to be genuine, humble, slow to anger, a constant student and teacher of the word and a person of prayer. Resolve to speak blessings over your children, rather than sharp words of annoyance (you know how we West Indians can be colourful with the insults), resolve to show them love, to extend mercy and to be humble when you are wrong. Whatever point of development your children are at, resolve to understand it better so that you can meet their needs as parents. Remember it’s about leaving a legacy that they can claim, not about staying in control of their lives.
- Resolution for children: whether you are a child, teenager, young adult or adult I’m sure there is someone in your life that you can resolve to honour in this upcoming year. The bible admonishes children to honour and obey their parents. Sometimes this is not easy, especially if parents do no resolve to improve their relationship with you in Christ-like ways. But we do not make resolutions because they are easy. Planting such a seed can not only improve your relationship with the parent figures in your life, but it will result in fruits of blessings over you. Also resolve to work on your relationships with your fellow siblings, not only do you share similar experiences and histories but you will always share a connection. It pays therefore to plant seeds that will yield a long term support system, through strong sibling relationships.
These are the basic relationship resolutions that I think we should always focus on, not just for New Year’s but every day that we experience God’s mercies and steadfast love. There are other relationship resolutions that you can consider, such as resolution for leaders, employees, and friends. By now you get the idea of what I’m going for.
If you do not hear from me again for the rest of the year (although I’m feeling like I should expand on a few of these points before the year’s end. We’ll see how that goes). I wish you God’s blessings, and the strength and wisdom to face the new year. I pray that your ship does not crash against the rocks but braves the waves of 2018, I pray that your relationships with others improve and that you allow God to chart out a path for your success in every point of your life. I pray that even as God’s mercies towards you are new, so will your mercies towards others.
Be a blessing,
KellyP
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
