Like some folks are Scrooges about Christmas, I tend to be a Scrooge about those "year in review" stories or shows. I just don't enjoy looking backward; I am future focused.
But as Churchill famously said, those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. So it's time to look back at 2020.
Here are eight things I'd encourage you to ask yourself...
a) How did I do as a family member? What did I learn about my role as husband, wife, mother, father, son, or daughter? Don't beat yourself up, but don't ignore reality either. God's first call on our lives is to our families--a call I have too often relegated to 2nd or 3rd place in my journey--so how did you do with your place in your family?
b) How did I do as an employee (or student)? Did I work faithfully? If I were my boss, would I be happy with my performance? If not, where can I grow?
c) How did I do with my goals from last year? Of course, COVID-19 probably made some thing less possible, but it made others newly possible. How did I do at making course corrections?
d) How did I do with my friendships? Was I the one to take initiative to check on people? Did I listen before speaking? Did I entrust myself to my friends?
e) How did I do with my finances? Was I faithful to give the first fruits to God? (The minimum standard, according to the Bible, is 10%.) Was I generous in both spirit and in deed?
f) How did I do as a member of my neighborhood, my community? Was I more of a contributor than a consumer? Did I treat my neighbors with respect and grace? Our church just started using www.blesseveryhome.com to pray for our neighbors. I have only been at it a week, but I'm loving it!
Let's get a bit more personal...
g) How did I do with my spiritual disciplines? Better than the year before? Not as well? Did the pandemic drive me toward God or farther away? For more about spiritual disciplines, you can check out these brief previous posts.)
h) How did I do with my time? Was I a good steward of my most valuable resource? What would those closest to me say about this? If I'm married, I really need to ask my spouse about this. Is there one change I can make that will make 2021 be an improvement? (My favorite post about time management is here.)
In conclusion?
I'll say it again: don't be too hard on yourself. Still, don't let yourself get away with being a poor steward of who God made you to be and what God gave you to do. (see Ephesians 2:10)
So now? Make small course corrections. Find one thing you'd like to do differently in each of these categories. If you try to go big, you'll probably flame out. So make small adjustments and be consistent with them. (I've learned this the hard way... and it took a long time!)
If I can help, please reach out. I'd be delighted to pray for you, to have a conversation, suggest more resources, or even function as an official coach or mentor. You can text or call me at 502.229.0114.
HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!