Resolutions

I only made one New Year's resolution this year:

1. Be Still and know that He is God.

It's a verse I've heard a bazillion times, but it wasn't until I was singing that verse during the New Year's Eve service at church that it really hit me - and like a ton of bricks.

It really doesn't matter what my external circumstances are, my job is just to be still. Not to be physically still necessarily (though there are times when it's better to be still physically than to move into action) but more so, to be still in my mind. 

Josh always says "It must be exhausting being you."

And it is.

My mind never quits.

When I should be enjoying time with my family, my mind is usually distracted, thinking about my to-do list. When I'm taking time off from work to relax, my mind is always riddled with guilt because of all that I should be doing. And when everyone else in the house is fast asleep, I'm usually still laying in bed with my mind racing in so many directions that I can hardly keep up with myself.

I can't make it stop (and it's been like this ever since I was little.)

The good news though is that I'm finally at a place in my life where I understand that I can't do it...but He can.

And so, that's what I intend to do this year (with His help of course.)

Be still and know that He is God. (I even ordered a necklace with the words 'Be Still' engraved in it.)

I remember being pregnant with Cole and praying that my ex-husband would come back and that our marriage would be ok. I just couldn't understand how it could be God's plan that I go through yet another pregnancy by myself and that I would raise yet another son on my own.

But God could see the whole playing field (I could only see my immediate surroundings.) and God's plan included Josh Downs. He just needed me to be patient (for five years) and he would bring him to me (on Delta, flight 1237.) He just needed me to settle my mind. To settle my worries. To rest in Him. To know that He is in control (not me) and that He is always at work.

He just needed me to "Be still and know that He is God."

And now I'm off to go jogging (even though I don't want to) because while 'being still' will indeed help my mind, it's not going to do much for these sausage legs.

Oh, and here's a few pictures Josh sent me...

He's on the far left.

That's him reading his Bible with a cup of coffee.

He's second from the right in that one.

And that's him on the far left at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

And here's his New Year's resolutions (which he gave me permission to share.)

1. Have 'child-like' faith.

2. Love that Woman up one-side and down the other.

3. Wrap those kids in my arms daily and squeeze until they're purple.

4. Learn to play the uke.

5. Run a marathon.

6. Learn to fly an airplane or helicopter.

7. Stop using the F-word.

8. One year from now, don't regret a single day from 2012.

And if you're reading this Josh Downs...I'm so lucky to be 'that woman.'

Comments

[Addie]

Well said girly! Love your resolution and Josh's made me teary! Such a good variety! I think we should all start squeezing our kids until they're purple!:)

[Valerie]

With the exception of being years apart in age, I'm pretty sure we're the same person. :) My mind never slows down...and on a different level I've wished before that I would legitimately get sick so I could take a day off and not feel guilty. Thank you for sharing both yours and Josh's resolutions, I may alter some to make them my own. And FYI...that saying you posted the other day in your Triathlon post...it's now sitting at my desk on a sticky not staring at me daily. God Bless!

[young nanny]

Dear Karen, love that you share your walk with God. It's inspiring and ... well ... just lovely. Makes me smile and my heart swell. God is so good.

[Leslie @ {Tiny Wings}]

I wonder how many of us "mom-type-people" could say that about ourselves -- that our brains never slow down, and the guilt is non-stop. I know that I am one of those people. I absolutely LOVE your single resolution (and Josh's more lengthy list!) Karen, I've admired you from scrapbooking days . . . through photography . . . and now through FAITH. You're a constant inspiration to me!!

[Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita]

I loved this post Karen - it's a journey, right? Your resolution is true to you and heartfelt. And Josh's are pretty special too - love 2 and 3 the best!

[Julie Long]

Karen....seriously, God is using you in a BIG way. And it's so cool. I love, love, love that verse and it hit me the way it did you last year and remains to be a key verse to me. Your post made me all teary and then I literally laughed out loud when I read Josh's resolution #7. =) Thanks for sharing and we are praying for Josh & all the guys! Thanks for sacrificing for us Josh Downs! :)

[Sharesa]

Thank you so much for sharing!! Seriously, isn't that what we all need to do.... Be still and know He is God. Thank you, thank you!!

[Juli P]

Karen,
I absolutely love reading your posts! Thanks for sharing.
I generally never make resolutions, as I feel I'm just setting myself for self inflicted failure.....but this year, I made a resolution to stop using the F-word. I don't consider myself a potty mouth, but that word; that one single word. It's going to be a work in progress for the next 362 days!
I've been meaning to ask, because I dont' remember reading, when do you expect to have Josh home? how long were his deployment orders? sorry to be nosey, just hoping he gets home soon and safely!

[patti]

Wonderful! Made me cry and remember my "be still" moment (http://ericksonall-stars.blogspot.com/2010/08/normal-is-so-overrated.html). Thank you for sharing!!!!

[AllisonK]

Beautiful post Karen. Wonderful resolution, something I need to work on. Always a pleasure to come to your site.

[Jen S]

Amen sister! Love it!

[Lynn]

Karen, we've never met, but I include your family in my prayers regularly. Thank you for this post. It really hit home with me. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

[Kelli]

I am placing the 'blame' on you! I was printing, yes, printing all 180 pages of the wonderful instalment of Making the Shot when I ran out of ink about 3/4 of the way through. I realized the photos were messed up because of this. So I did some research and made an executive decision to buy a Kobo e-reader. Now I will put all my book on there and not feel the need to print every darn thing.
I love seeing the photos Josh sends. Makes me thankful, once again for what I have.

[Corrine]

Karen thanks so much...for sharing it all. You always inspire me. Josh Downs...thanks for sharing your pictures, thanks for all your sacrifices and thanks for sharing your list...it made my heart smile.

[Melinda~]

I LOVE that your new years resolution was a Bible verse because mine was too!! Mine is: "Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved" Proverbs 16:3 Instead of spending the year mapping out my own goals, Im letting God map them for me:)

Man I feel like we are so on the same frame of mind here! Love it!

And thank you for sharing the pictures of Josh, they really are an eye opener for so many of us who do not have anyone in the military. Thank you JOSH!!!

[kat-in-texas]

The whole post just makes me want to bawl. God does have the big picture...and He does know what's best for us. I can't tell you how many times I thought I knew better and tried to jump over His road blocks only to regret it later. Thank you, Lord for forgiving us when we're turds....

I love both your resolutions...mine is to get to church more often instead of watching it on tv.

I needed to hear this today, Nellie.

And I want to also bawl because Josh Downs has to sleep on a cot with a sleeping bag. Will you please go out and buy a Tempurpedic mattress for yourselves so he has a wonderful bed to come home to? lol.

Waaaaaaaah!!! ;)

[janel]

Goose bumps!

[amy miller]

thank you so so much for being able to write what I have been feeling this past month or so. Struggling with wanting to better myself, yet knowing we are in this "desert" time of our lives for God's purpose, not for mine.- you nailed it exactly as to what God is asking of me right now! On an encouraging note, I just started reading "One thousand gifts" by Ann Vos Camp- just a lovely Christian mom trying to get it all right and teaching me how to praise God daily for exactly what I have been given, not wishing for it to be any other way. I know you might get a lot of wacky recommendations, but she isnot preaching any kind of religion, just a daily walk with God- so I hope you feel safe checking it out! thank you so much for this post!

[Tracy]

That has to be my absolute favorite verse. I saw it on a plaque...Be Still and know that I AM. My mind is always going and sometimes I just need to "be still" and rest in Him. Thank you for sharing and thank you Josh for sharing your pictures and New Year's resolutions. Stay strong! God Bless you both.

[Deneen]

Our God is an awesome God isn't He?

[Kristen]

What an awesome list - thanks for sharing and his pictures! Happy new year!

[Michelle Voelker]

Everything else I wanted to say has been said, so I will say this: You do NOT have sausage legs. You may think you do, but you do not. Amen.

[Ada]

FANstinkinTASTIC!

[Brooke]

I love that you are proudly sharing your walk of faith through your blog! That's a great resolution too - I'm the assistant to the youth pastor at our church, and at our last mentor's meeting with the volunteers who help with the youth group, we talked about that verse from Psalm 46. An interesting thought that was mentioned is that "you can do many things while being still, but you can't fully know that God is God if you aren't still." And another translation for being still is to "cease striving." God bless!

[renee]

Really like your 'be still' resolution. Also wanted to say thank you so much for the making the shot free issue - what a brilliant (but time consuming for you) idea, I'm so enjoying reading through each page. As always, hope you're going ok.