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Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

to the last syllable of recorded time..”

~William Shakespeare in Macbeth

I would love to write some short, pithy column today that with surety states my new focus for 2007. I would love to trumpet loudly the new Melissa you will see one year from today. But sadly, I’m not able to do that. The older I get, the more certain I am that change is the most uncertain bird on earth.

The Lord knows I have desired change. In fact, there are a few attributes about myself that I have wanted to amend since I was old enough to form thoughts and opinions. And yet, looking at the last 20 years, those attributes have showed minor improvement, but not the dramatic difference I have been wishing for since I was old enough to wish.

Maybe that’s the problem- sometimes I wish and don’t work. “God, please make me skinny,” I pray while I eat my third helping of mashed potatoes. Other times I work hard at my goal (for about 3 ½ days) then forget to rely on the Holy Spirit as my strength to keep working. I’ve got to work, and pray for God to help me keep working, “for it is God who works in [me] to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

With all that being said, don’t believe for a minute that I’m not working on anything this year. This year, I’m working on TODAY. Procrastination is my biggest flaw that rules all others. If I want to procrastinate about something- like going on a diet or picking up my house- I will procrastinate tomorrow. But TODAY, I’m going to have the discipline to work on being different, and TODAY, I’m praying for God’s Spirit to fill me with the ability to keep working. Paul writes a wonderful passage that we should remember together as we go into the New Year:

“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way

...May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:18-21

P.S. My goal for last year was to be in God’s word and have God’s word in me. I’m more than thrilled to report that for the first time in the short history of my life, I finished a Bible reading plan from beginning to the END. And God’s word “…that goes out from [His] mouth: … will not return to [Him] empty, but will accomplish what [He] desires and achieve the purpose for which [He] sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

What Are We to Do When Others Give Us A Rough Time?