New year's resolutions: a word for the year

Everywhere I look these days I see the same messages:

Happy new year!

Time for a fresh start!

Out with the old, in with the new!

Choose a theme word for the new year!

And I look away. Or wince. Because I am the world's worst at making new year's resolutions. I stink at goal-setting. I'm awful at making plans. And if I'm completely truthful, I'll admit that I'm prone to dragging my heels when it comes to things with which I struggle so much.

Can you make a new year's resolution to get better at making resolutions? How does someone who's bad at goal-setting set a goal to get better at setting goals? How can I choose one theme word for the year when a thesaurus dances around in my mind?

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I pondered this while I was taking a shower, which is where I do a lot of my pondering. As the water washed over me, I was reminded of one of my favorite psalms:

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

(Psalm 51:1-3, ESVUK)

I've always loved that picture of being washed clean. So after I dried myself off, I looked up the 51st psalm and re-read the whole thing. This part caught my eye:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

(Psalm 51:10-12, ESVUK)

And suddenly I, the horrible goal-setter, had my theme word for this year:

willing.

I doubt that I shall suddenly be transformed into an expert planner. I will probably not become an excellent goal-setter, much less a great goal-achiever. But the one thing I do want to be is willing to change. When I think about my situation honestly, I know that God doesn't want to change me into something I'm not meant to be. He created me to be Richella, not anyone else. But if I'll cooperate with Him, He's able to help me become the very best version of myself.

So there you have it. Not a new year's resolution, exactly, but a new year's prayer.

And just for grins--or maybe food for thought:

What about you? Do you have special hopes for this new year? Check out Layla's party for lots of inspiration!

My favorite posts of 2011

As 2011 draws rapidly to a close, I find myself thinking about this past year at Imparting Grace. I can scarcely contain my gratitude to have been part of the blogging community this year! What joy I've derived from friendships with the wonderful people who are part of this blog--those who drop by occasionally, those who visit often, and those who read every post. I am reminded of the words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson: "I am a part of all that I have met." Who would have ever believed that so many of us could meet in the blogosphere? What a blessing!

If you're interested in strolling down Memory Lane with me, here are a few of my favorite posts of the year.

Thoughts from a Blogging Mother


This Week in History



Long Days, Short Years


Lessons from a Fire Hydrant


My Inner Martha


To you, my blogging friends:
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3).

**What were some of your favorite moments in 2011?

Best of 2011

As this year draws to a close, I find myself grateful that the calendar is about to turn. My biggest memories from this year will definitely be my husband's open-heart surgery in April and his subsequent re-hospitalization in May, capped off by my son's emergency surgery in November. Whew! We're thankful that all of us are healthy here at the end of the year!

Of course this year has also included some fun memories, like my middle son's high school graduation and his going off to college. I think I've laughed more and cried more this year than ever before!

As I looked back over my posts for the year, though, I remembered that I did manage to complete some fun projects. Here are a few of my favorites:

No-Sew Faux Roman Shade

Table Transformation

Leaving a Red Dining Room Behind

Guest Room Update

What about you? Was 2011 a year of big accomplishments for you? What was your favorite project? I'd love to know!

I'm joining Rhoda's party at Southern Hospitality. She's been the best example of grace in 2011. Blessings, Rhoda!