I love the hope and possibility wrapped up in a new year. One of my favorite things to do in December is spend some time thinking and praying about the coming year and how I might order my life to glorify the Lord better. As I sat at my computer today to print off a new calendar and a new Bible reading plan, it seemed like it was such a short time ago that I was planning 2010. The older and busier I become, the faster the years seem to fly. That fact causes me to desire to be even more diligent with my time. It was so much easier to plan out a schedule for myself (when it was just me!), but now I have a whole household to manage and five children to direct and disciple. Every year I have several goals as I plan the new year:
1. Print off a new calendar for my organizer. I get these from Donna Young. I prefer the 2-page calendar, as it gives me more room, and there are also lines for making notes. I use these lines to jot plans and goals for each month.
2. Print off a new Bible reading plan. The past two years I have been printing one for every reader in the family. My husband also asked me to print one that he uses for our family Bible reading time at breakfast. This is the website containing printable reading plans that I use. And just this year, as I was searching for a simple reading plan for a younger child, I found this plan, which I printed for our 7-year-old. I always ask what each person's goal for Bible reading is, and this is what I ended up with for 2011:
My plan: Straight Through the whole Bible!
Morning Family Bible Reading: The Story of the Bible (A chronologically arranged reading of the story of the Bible.)
Elyse (11): Old and New Testament (Read through the Bible with something from both Testaments each day.)
Abigail (9): New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs
Ian (7): Simple Bible Reading Plan (Covers the major themes of the Bible in smaller readings of about 10-15 verses.)
3. Make a new schedule. Every year I end up making several schedules, as the seasons of our life as a family change. I already made a wonderful, beautiful, perfect schedule for us, several months ago. This schedule has everything my husband and I feel would be ideal for our family: Bible times, family worship, Bible memory, school, sewing, individual time with each child, time alone as a couple. Now, if I could just get it to work! I like to have a schedule even though it doesn't always work out exactly as it is on the paper. It gives me a framework for my day, something to aim at.
I can't wait to begin a whole new year!
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
~Ephesians 5:15-17
16 comments:
I love the idea of having a schedule - I just either can't it everything in that I want to do or I just don't stick to it!
Really like the idea of a plan for reading the Bible as there are lots of bits that I haven't read. I struggle to know where the best place to start is.
You sound very organised!
Jenny
Really appreciated your post {found it on the Raising Homemakers link up} and look forward to reading more. I so desire the same things you mentioned in this post and you've helped spark that added motivation I needed. Thanks! Keep up the good work, sister!
New year new beginning love it!
Dear Joy,
You have shown me through your words that this is the most important part of being a homemaker. Especially a Christian homemaker.
Thank you for planting the seed and sharing the harvest...
I will visit the links and for the first time, begin my new year filled with a hope that He will give me the strength necessary to accomplish every one of them.
May Our Lord bless you and yours,
M.
Thank you for this great reminder. Thank you too for the links, I've printed off a new Bible reading plan for 2011. Yay! :)
Hi Jenny!
I am very organized--in my mind...but everything doesn't always go as planned around here! :)
Mandi,
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
Renee, thanks so much for visiting!
Dear Maria,
Thank you for your lovely thoughts. I will admit that although I make so many wonderful plans each year they don't always work out! But I keep trying anyway...:) Blessings to you today!
Hi Tina!
I love having a Bible reading plan for the new year. It's so nice to have a new start. I'm glad the links were helpful for you. :)
Joy,
You sound very organized and ready for the new year. I like how your entire family has a plan on their bible reading time. I think this is an excellent idea!
I like schedules too, but I find that I don't always stick to them. However, like you said, they are a good framework so you don't end up "wandering the halls" all day while you are at home. :)
I suppose I am looking forward to the new year, although I don't have any new plans as of late. Maybe the ideas will come before the year is out, who knows.
Have a blessed day!
-Lady Rose
Thanks for sharing your plan for the new year. I like the idea of having a schedule and some structure for the year already established.
After having worked for years, I am homeschooling my two sons. I am always looking for ideas to make our days run more smoothly.
Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing! I have been thinking a lot about schedules etc... :)
It feels so refreshing to start a new year! You have a great list!
I, too, am looking forward to the new year, Joy, and some of what you shared here was similar thoughts to what I have had as well.
How wonderful that each of your three oldest children will be spending time reading the Bible on their own as well . . . and for Elyse to be reading both the Old and New Testaments! How blessed your children are to have parents who realize the importance of teaching and training their children in the Lord and the importance for the children to be reading and studying the Bible.
I hope that your new schedule works well for you! :)
Dear Lady Rose,
I do have everything organized on paper. But life doesn't always happen like I plan for it to! I'm really wishing I could get my physical space organized before the new year--we moved 4 weeks ago, and I still have boxes lying around!
Hi Jan,
I worked for years before having children, and I find it quite a bit more complicated to organize everything now. Especially with homeschooling. But I just keep trying to be organized!
Dear Tanya,
I love schedules. The book you're reading by Kim Brenneman will probably be a real blessing to you. I hope I get a chance to read it someday! :)
Thank you, Kim!
Hi Sarah! Yes, I'm pretty excited about my new schedule and the Bible reading plans. As I mentioned above, I'm really hoping things work out! My desire is to have a peaceful, orderly home, and I know when our children are off schedule that it isn't peaceful and orderly.
♥Joy
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