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Every January, the word “resolution” rolls around. We decide to do better - to attempt to get those good habits and kick the bad ones.


However, the realist and sometimes cynical part of us knows. The voice is there in our head, “Really? Again? You’ll never actually change. Just learn to deal with it.”

There’s this thing in me that wants to hold your shoulders and look you straight in the eyes and tell you, “Keep signing up. No really. Sign up again.”

It doesn’t have to be every year. It can be a weekly or daily thing. As a matter of fact, if you make the choice daily (or every hour) to be a better, kinder, more unselfish spouse, I bet it will eventually happen.

Don’t get discouraged when you stop working out in February. Sign up again in March.

Too much sugar? Oof. One of my worst repeat offenders. Try again tomorrow.

Still on that One-year Bible plan and it’s three years in? Don’t quit. Keep going. Finishing eventually is better than never finishing at all.

One day at a time. One yes at a time. One choice at a time.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do better in an area. But don’t give up when things get hard. Figure out if there’s a way to make it easier. If you pray, ask God to help you to have the strength and grace to do it for that day or week. If you have community around you that is chasing after the same thing, find a friend to hold you accountable.

And when you fall… that candy bar just looked too good, you missed the gym again, you went a week without opening your Bible or praying, or maybe you yelled at your kid when you swore you’d be patient next time… sign up again.

Don’t fight for perfection. Fight for progress. And the fastest way to no progress is to just stop trying.

So find your thing. Or even ask God what thing you can work on, and then ask Him for his help. He cares about the little things. He cares about you and your family. He cares about your relationship with Him, with your family and friends, your health.

God sees you. And He wants to help you. You just have to ask.

So sign up again. And ask for help this time.

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