As we leave 2021, I thought I would take the opportunity to do a little inventory about what I want and what I hope for in the year ahead. I won’t call these New Year’s resolutions because those often have a way of falling off my radar by mid-March and I’d like to work with these things from here on. Maybe some of these will resonate with you, but if not, I might encourage you to consider creating a list of your own.

When I think of what I’d like to have more of, it’s easy to imagine having more financial security, or more opportunities to create a number one best-seller, but in truth, those things are scarcely relevant. So, the fact is, I’d like more time to shine my little light. I’d like to be more compassionate and generous to the people I love, my family and friends. I’d like to give them all more attention and discover new ways I can make life better for them. I’d like to be more aware of their hopes and dreams so I can encourage them each day.

When I look at the world, I’d like to be more hopeful. I’d like to see more kindness and forgiveness, more gentleness and grace. I’d like more gratitude for all we have, and less bitterness for things that didn’t go our way. I’d like more light and less darkness, more positive spirit and less negative energy. I’d like us all to keep asking what more we can do, instead of what else can I get?

In short, I’d like to see more love for each of us to share with one another. I’d like us to ask what more would Jesus do right now? What more would God want from me? I’d like us to be grateful for those who aren’t a carbon copy of ourselves, but who help to demonstrate that God so loved the world, (that means you, no matter who you are and where you live), that He gave His only Son, so that when we seek more of Him, when we trust Him more, when we pray more and love more and truly believe more, we will have life, abundant life from here to eternity.

Yes, I know I’m an idealist. I’ve been accused of being a dreamer, but quite honestly, I’d like to see more dreamers, more ideals being put forward, so that we each become more of what God designed us to be.

It has never served God well for us to think less of ourselves or of each other. Perhaps in 2022, we can serve Him more, in big ways, even bigger ways than we’ve ever imagined before.

May you have more in 2022! More Grace, More Love, More Joy…More of God’s Spirit so you too can shine!