Commit

from the Sydney Morning Herald Leunig Calendar 2010.

2011 is here. And New Year blog posts abound. I am fascinated by the idea of naming the year or having a word for the year. I started this blog because I wanted to listen better, and writing about that has prompted me to stop and think more. So my 'one word' has been listen. And I don't want to lose that focus because I know that I've got lots more to discover.

I have discovered that God wants me to listen to people. I have even dared to say that it is part of my life's purpose. That really listening to people is a gift to them, a respect that I can offer. And when life is tough, I know that having someone listen to me, really listen to me, can be a service - like a dinner delivered to my door, or having someone mind my kids when I am completely overwhelmed.

But I would like to think about a word for 2011. It will be a way to connect with other people doing the same thing, and a way to focus my thinking.

So 2011 is going to be my year for completing - I have some work training requirements and an exam to do this year. But complete sounds a little self-satisfied.

2011 is going to be my year for wearing clothes and shoes I buy and put in the cupboard for nice occasions. It is time to stop waiting for the right time to get them out. I'm going to wear them whenever I can. But stop waiting is two words.

2011 is going to be my 40th year, but forty...no. No.

After considering what 2011 will be for me, I need to commit to do what needs to be done. It will not always be what I like to do, in fact sometimes I may need to postpone the things I like to do, in order to enjoy them better later.

Because I know that I'm a dabbler. I like to start things and find it harder to finish them. I see the pattern in my life of doing too many things and not doing them well. Just getting by.

Commit.

Commit myself to work hard. Commit myself to love and serve my family. Commit myself to finish what needs to be done. Commit myself to let Jesus live in me, to let his spirit shape me and refine me.