New Things, New Year’s Brings!

Many people want a clean slate.  Some are hoping to just get through this year and with breaths of relief cruise into a new year, hopefully less bruised and battered.  It is almost 2014, can you believe it?  For some this year flew by (I would be in that crowd), while for others it slowly, geriatrically creeped by.  

Perhaps some look forward to that big New Year’s day bash, while others will happily avoid the festivities and regale themselves with a cup of tea and a good book before falling asleep well before the clock strikes midnight.  3-2-1…Happy New Year!!  

I, for one, have a tough time when getting to the new year and writing that “2014” on the checks from my check book…I’m sure I’m not the only one…anyway I digress.  

What will 2014 have in store for you?  Do you have dreams and hopes to plunge into?  Have you already filled your calendar with them?  I’m not much of a long range planner, but I do have some aspirations for the new year.  

ASPIRATIONS: 

as·pi·ra·tion

 noun \ˌas-pə-ˈrā-shən\

 

Definition of ASPIRATION

1

a :  audible breath that accompanies or comprises a speech sound

 

b :  the pronunciation or addition of an aspiration; also :  the symbol of an aspiration

2

:  a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: as

 

a :  the act of breathing and especially of breathing in

 

b :  the withdrawal of fluid or tissue from the body

 

c :  the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory current

3

a :  a strong desire to achieve something high or great

 

There we go, #3 in the dictionary…something to achieve…this is the kind of aspiration I’m talking about.  

 

Here is my bucket list for 2014…(AKA my bucket of aspiration) 

 

 

1) I want to write better and increase this audience: 

I know, perhaps it sounds ambitious, but we need things to aspire to and I want to become a better writer as well as help others along the way within the content of what I write…so here goes!  

 

2) I want to improve my preaching and my application of the Word!  

It goes without saying that ministry is tough and there will be times when I won’t have all the time I would like to write my sermons but my desire is to dedicate more time the application of method of my sermon writing. 

 

3) To stop and take in God’s beauty more. 

I love the outdoors, I enjoy photography as well as poetry and this year I would like to stop and just relish the beauty of God’s creation around me.  In the process of taking time for 1 & 2 I want to be able to look up from my computer or my books and spend time in the nature around me, to truly appreciate it more and say “thank you” more often to the Lord of these provisions.  

 

 

4) Be all I can be as a good parent. 

I have four kids who need good parental role models and I can (and should) strive to be that to them as their father.  God blessed me with these four wonderful humans and it is both my responsibility as well as my Wife’s responsibility to bring them up properly.  I aspire to be a better parent in 2014.  

 

 

 

5) Be all I can be as a Husband.

My Wife deserves it, and I can and should show the love of my life how a husband can cherish and love his wife!  She deserves my best effort and love as well as attention to her every needs.  I aspire in 2014 to win “Husband of the year”…okay maybe that’s pushing it, but hey the sky’s the limit!  🙂  

 

Anyway, new things, new year’s brings…it’s simple…take time, appreciate life, and contribute positively to it in ways that God has blessed you through gifts, insight, and abilities.  Remember life isn’t only about what you’ll get out of it, life is far more rewarding if we all include others first into the grand scheme of our perspectives.  

 

 

God Bless you, and Happy (Pre)  New Years!  Now get aspiring!