At the end of every year, we begin to think of all the ways we want to do better or be better in the new year. Sometimes our goals and commitments are seen through, but many times we let our resolutions fall to the side.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to set goals and make changes in our lives. The new year brings with it a fresh start. It feels like three-hundred and sixty-five new chances to do things better than before.
If we have learned anything in the last two years, it is that every day matters.
For most of us, our eyes have been opened to the places in our lives where we may have been lacking. More than that I think it transformed how we spent time with our families, what we learned was important, and how we need better priorities in our homes.
I have spent much of the last year thinking about all the ways life has changed in our home. 2020 brought with it adapting to the struggles and figuring things out, and in 2021 I realized just how much of my family and me I had lost in this pandemic world.
When the world changes, sometimes we forget who we are and what we love.
It seems silly to say but I know I am not the only one who feels like they have forgotten who they are in this world. We have become defined by symptoms rather than who we are as a person. In the last two years, there has been a large spike in anxiety, depression, and alcohol consumption.
I don’t know about your family, but mine is ready to take back what the last two years have stolen. We are ready to make goals in the new year to find what we lost, do more of what we love, and worry less.
Our goals don’t have to be over the top and extravagant; they should be reasonable and agreed on as a family.
Maybe you have never made family resolutions, but this is a great time to start. These are some resolutions we have decided to take in our home and I believe are goals that every family should have going into the New Year:
1. Eat dinner at the table every night if possible.
A few years ago, I pulled our kids out of an extracurricular activity that kept us away from the dinner table almost every night a week. It was a frustrating season because the activity was controlling our family. We lacked conversation and connectedness. Both of those things happen around the dinner table. I am not saying you have to give up all your extra activities, but I am saying that it should be a priority to be around the table together for dinner, to discuss the day, take time to listen to your children, laugh, and be disconnected from devices and tv. This activity matters in our home, and I encourage you to make it a priority.
2. Pray together.
Prayer is one of the most easily forgotten habits as a family. Maybe we are really good at it individually, but have we made it a priority to pray together as a family? Pray for our country, family members, churches. Pray for the spiritual disciplines of our household, asking for guidance in all things. There is so much that we could be praying for as a family. Pick any time of day that works, maybe gather up before bed and pray together. Not only does it build the habit, but it will teach your children to take everything to God in prayer.
3. Be in the Word.
What will our children remember about us one day when we are gone? Will they remember how much time we spent on our phones, scrolling through things that distract us? Will they remember us as parents who worked constantly and never spent time with them? How will they remember us? May we be parents who are remembered for being in the Word of God. May we be parents who read the Word to our children. When you gather up to pray, take the time to also open the Word of God with your children. Even if it is one verse or passage, it takes time to read and talk about what God is teaching us in the Scriptures.
4. Build on communication and togetherness.
One of my favorite parts of the pandemic was finding activities to do as a family. It gave us an opportunity to build togetherness and communication. Each weekend we would break out a new puzzle or game and play it together. We watched every movie my husband and I watched as children. We made a commitment to time together, and we need to get that time back. Maybe it is one night a week we commit to being family night, where we watch a movie or play a game. Maybe it is committing to once a month doing a fun outing as a family, like a picnic, a hike, or mini-golf. No matter the activity, make a commitment to be together no matter what.
5. Be faithful to church as a family.
One of the best resolutions we can make in the new year as a family is to be faithful to attending church. Church is the place where we find community and accountability for our spiritual walk and where we are built up. Find a church that preaches the Gospel, pours out through small groups, and encourages discipleship. We need the church in this world we are living in. It is a lifeline for our families.
There are so many resolutions that we can make as a family. A few other goals our family has in the new year is to eat more meals at home and eat out less, get more time outside in the sunshine and move our bodies more. We are also making a resolution to grow and make more of our own food in the new year. The goals are endless that we can make, so sit down as a family and talk it through and build a list of resolutions for your family in the new year.
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Michelle Rabon is helping women be disciples who make disciples. Michelle has her MDiv in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as Women’s Ministry Director in her local church. She is also the author of Holy Mess. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee. You can connect with Michelle at www.michellerabon.com