It’s that time of year again. We goal-setting people love it because the year ahead presents a fresh start, a clean slate, new possibilities.

At the end of last year, I committed to reading the Old Testament in 2012. I had no idea then what a blessing it would be throughout the past year. But God knew, and He had put the plan on my heart. Verses like,

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

brought such timely truth and comfort!

1. I wanted to read through the gospels in 2013 and become reacquainted with Jesus; to read His words spoken while living as a human being on the earth. Once again, this Bible plan website came through for me. They had precisely what I was looking for in the ‘words of Jesus’ reading plan.

2. I’ve kept a prayer journal for the past few years, and have found it to be a good tool for staying focused while talking with God, as well as something to look back on and be reminded of the ways God answered those prayers. Thus, I plan to continue in 2013.

3. Why this picture, you ask, of an adorable girl and dog? Well, partly because it’s a cute pic, but also because it illustrates another 2013 goal of mine. I plan to keep a ‘love list’–it’s a way for me to be intentional in encouraging and serving others (such as dogsitting :)) One of my biggest weaknesses is lack of initiative. I often sense God nudging me to do one of these, but I don’t do it because _______ (fill in the blank), so I’m hoping that this will light a fire in me to pick up the phone, write an encouraging email, bring a meal.

Those are the biggies for this year. Simple structure. For my sake, but also for the sake of others, so that as God continues to shape me and refine me, I would behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18) in a way that would draw others to Him.