6 New Year Resolutions for a Christian Mom

Having trouble setting goals for the New Year? Check out these 6 simple, but important New Year resolutions from a Christian mom.

---

---

I’m a planner by nature, but until the last decade or so, I never thought of that as a good thing.

In fact, when someone accused me of having the spiritual gift of administration soon after I was saved, I was offended. The aforementioned accuser actually had to read 1 Corinthians 12:28 to me before I settled down enough to really process how I might serve God with such a gift.

That said, I can get a little control-freakish, and bury myself in micro-details and plans to take over the world, or at least the linen closet. I’ll take over your linen closet, too, if you’ll let me in.

6 New Year Resolutions for a Christian Mom

It’s a good thing for me to step back and set some larger overall goals that help guide all my in-depth micro planning. The start of a new year is always a good time to do that, and I thought I’d share my six bigger goals with you, in case you identify with one or two of them.

---

---

New Year Resolution#1: Point to Jesus

In whatever I do, be it in parenting, in marriage, in friendship, in mentoring, or in writing, I want to point others to Jesus.

I want to glorify God in all things, share the gospel, and teach the Word.

Anything else is secondary to this. If I really believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6)–and I do believe that–then I ought to point to Him in all I do, in all I say, and in all I write.

---

---

New Year Resolution #2: Be Faithful

You know that “one word” New Year theme where everyone picks a word for the year? I’ve always thought “Faithful” was a great word, and I’ve concentrated on growing that fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) for nearly a decade now.

Of course, I pray about the others, too… like patience.

I pray for my own sanctification a lot. But faithfulness is a big one for me. I want to do what I say I’ll do. I want to complete the tasks the Lord puts in front of me. I want to be faithful to the promises I’ve made. So, even though being faithful has been a goal for quite a while, I’m keeping this as a major, overarching goal of my life.

Let me be faithful to run this race until I’ve crossed the finish line (Hebrews 12:1-2). Let me not quit a moment before.

---

Grab your FREE Bible Study Tool Kit–over 130 pages of Bible resources for your family!

---

New Year Resolution #3: Fight for Joy

A few years ago, our church spent a couple months studying Philippians. Many days, the boys and I read the short book out loud together after we finished our daily reading and discussion with Bible Road Trip™.

Philippians is full of joy.

Joy isn’t like happiness. Joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Joy comes from the Lord. It’s a choice. Sometimes we have to fight for joy. This year, I choose joy–in all things. I know I can be content–joyful, even–in the Lord’s strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

---

---

New Year Resolution #4: Set Aside Complaining for Praising

Stop Your Complaining: From Grumbling to Gratitude by Ronnie Martin was an eye-opening read a few years ago.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who struggles with complaining. But, boy, do I struggle.

I want to recognize God as sovereign in my life, and I want to praise Him for what He’s doing. I can’t really pray for sanctification, then complain when He begins to discipline and shape me. (Hebrews 12:3-11)

Have I ever shared the time I asked God to make me brave? I came home four hours later and a whole colony of the biggest wasps I’d ever seen in my life had moved into our attic. Really. It was like Jumanji. The exterminator told me that it’s common for a whole hive to move in at once (apparently wasps throw great housewarming parties!). I spent four years getting weekly bee sting shots for wasp allergies as a kid, so this was not exciting to me. It was actually terrifying. I’m not sure that I’m any braver now (maybe a tiny bit), but it was a quick answer to prayer!

I want to recognize struggles for what they are–an opportunity for God to be glorified and for me to be sanctified (even if it’s just a tiny bit).

---

---

New Year Resolution #5: Be Present

Oh, friend. This is another major downfall for me.

I’m an introvert, and I homeschool. My kids are with me ALL. THE. TIME. I love them dearly, but I have a tendency to check out. It’s like alone time in my own head. I like it in there, and sometimes it’s hard for me to come out and interact, um, joyfully.

I want to be present. I want to edify. I want to look my people in the eyes. I want to put the phone down. (Oh, yes, I said it.) I think this is a love issue–I want to love others in a real, sacrificial way. (1 Corinthians 13)

---

---

New Year Resolution #6: Make Memories

I want my kids to have happy memories of their childhood. I want my husband and I to remember moments of adventure and laughter.

I find that being intentional about creating these memories is vital–or moments of opportunity just get pushed aside.

The house always needs to be cleaned, dinners need to be made, school needs to be completed, and there’s only enough money for the first 28 days of the month. (Just me? Ok, then.) Honestly, if we’re going to do fun things together, for me, it has to be intentional. I have to write “play a game” or “bake cookies” or “take a day trip” on my calendar.

(My husband is much better at these spontaneous events, and I know I probably lost some of you here. But… I’m over here with a 30 item to-do list, and it’s got to have something fun on it.)

I don’t have a verse for this. I just know it’s ok to throw a party once in a while. Scripture is full of them. My parties just might involve Ticket To Ride, or a National Park. Probably not a fattened calf.

---

---

Check Out THESE Resolutions!

For a guy that really knew how to set (and detail) priorities, you might check out preacher and theologian Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions. He had 70 of them, and they’re worth reading. In fact, I read them every New Year. I like this set of his Resolutions because Matt Perman has organized them into categories: The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards.

---

Your kids can learn about the Bible, who God is and more with this fun daily devotional for kids. With 12-months of Bible verses calendar printable sheets, your family will concentrate on a monthly focus. There are six days of reading each week, each day with it’s own focus within the monthly theme.

Your 12-month Bible verse calendar has themed devotions focusing on:

• The Bible
• Love
• The Church
• Resurrection
• Jesus
• Prayer
• The Holy Spirit
• The Fruit of the Spirit
• Salvation
• Our Father
• Thanksgiving
• Advent

Want a sample calendar? Grab your free Christmas Advent calendar here.

---

Bible Resources for Your Kids

Learn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More Here

---

Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible

You want your kids to learn and love the Bible. 

You want to teach the Bible…

As parents, we deeply desire the best for our kids. We look for the right schools, we make them eat right and exercise, and we get them involved in extracurricular activities. We take our job as parents seriously.

But are we also putting our time and energy into
teaching them the Bible? Giving them the life-changing, soul-nourishing words of Scripture is not only doable, it’s an essential part of parenting kids for Jesus. And the good news is, studying God’s Word as a family doesn’t have to be difficult!

2 Timothy 2:15, ESV, says:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Our job, as parents who love Jesus, is to help our kids become approved workers, unashamed and rightly handling the word of truth.

The good news? Teaching the Bible isn’t hard. Your family can learn the Bible together.

…and you can!

A Crash Course in Teaching the Bible to Your Kids

Danika Cooley’s book, Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible, will give you the tools and confidence to study the Bible as a family. It will help you identify and overcome your objections and fears, give you a crash course in what the Bible is all about and how to teach it, and provide the guidance you need to set up a family Bible study habit.

You will finish this book feeling encouraged and empowered to initiate and strengthen your child’s relationship with the Lord through His Word.

Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible will equip you with everything you need to know to teach the Bible to your kids!

---

---

Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds. And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!

---

Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love

---