Looking Back

Last week I was looking back over some of my old posts and came across this one from one year ago today. When I wrote it, I had recently returned from my first international mission trip and was convicted to make some changes in my life. This prompted me to set some goals for 2010. Since goals don't really mean a lot if we don't check our progress, I decided I should do some self evaluation. So here goes:

Goal #1: Learn Spanish. I piddled around with this goal for a few months and then in the fall decided to "get serious" and we purchased all five levels of Rosetta Stone Spanish. I've made it halfway through Level 1. So, baby steps have been taken on this goal, but I still have a long way to go.

Goal #2: Give generously. We've given a small percentage of our income to support missionaries over the past year, but I still spend way too much on myself. So, more work to do on this one too.

Goal #3: Invest more in the spiritual development of my children. Maybe I've made a little progress on this one, having more "faith conversations" at home, but again, I have a long way to go. I really desire for Christ to be such a central part of my life that talking about Him and the things of God just naturally happens.

Goal #4: Spend more time consistently studying God's word and praying for His life-changing power to transform my life. I think I see a pattern forming here...while I've been a little more consistent in having personal devotional times, I'm nowhere near the consistency I envisioned when I made this goal a year ago.

So, since I haven't "reached" any of my goals, where does that leave me? Do I give up on myself? Of course not. I have to claim the verse in Phillipians...

"...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)

I pray that God will continue to work in my life!