Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Did you make any resolutions for 2014? If so, how are they progressing? Are you sticking with them, or have you already joined ranks with those who backslide before the month of January is out?
Personally, I haven't made a New Year's resolution for the last decade. Why? Because I was never successful in keeping them as I planned. Looking back, I can see that some of my resolutions were either too ambitious, or were about things which didn't speak to my passion. Neither is cut out to go the long haul.
The worst part about failing to keep them for me, though, was those pangs of guilt and pains of failure. I'd beat myself up about my lack of determination until I was emotionally black and blue.
Not worth it . . .
But, this year, I've made a resolution of sorts. It's based on a goal I'd seen several fellow bloggers/writers set for themselves. When I simply could not get this idea out of my mind, I decided to give it a whirl.
What is this goal? To write 500 words a day. Does that sound intimidating? Unreasonable? I don't think so. Then again, I'm used to writing and it is my passion. On top of that, I needed a prod, or, better yet, a swift kick in the backside, to get moving on my next novel series, Adventures in the Glade. What I consider to be the first book of this new trilogy is completed and has undergone a first go-round edit. It is the second book which begs attention now; attention I allowed to wander far to long before recommitting myself to this work.
So, the goal of 500 words a day is helping. Really helping! But, am I going to knock myself up side of the head if I miss a day? Nope! It's inevitable that unexpected situations will arise and days will be missed. When that happens, what will I do? Strive to reach 1,000 words the following day!
The best part about the goal, however, is not just the amount of words on the page. It's what I feel strongest when I am creating: God's presence. I find God in so many things, but I feel Him holding me close when I write. I am assured that He is guiding the words of my mouth and that they are pleasing in His sight. There is nothing better than that.
Nothing . . .
~
When and where do you most intensely feel God's presence?
Prayer: We that You, Father, for those blessed times when we so intensely feel Your presence. Thank You for the creative gifts You have bestowed upon us. May we always use them to Your honor and glory. Amen.
(The number of words in this post counting the ones here? Five hundred!)
Martha,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post on goal setting--your goal of writing 500 words a day is quite achievable and measurable.
In goal setting it's so very important to set goals for ourselves that aren't dependent on others; that is where it can some times get tricky.
I'm struggling a bit with goal setting for this year. Oh I have some, it's just that they depend a bit too much on others. Must do some more pondering and seeking the Lord, I guess.
Love and blessings,
Kim
Yes, Kim, goals are so much more difficult when they depend upon the positive involvement of others. If you keep on praying and asking the Lord for direction, you can't go wrong! :)
DeleteThanks so much for visiting, my friend.
Love and blessings to you!
Martha - I have an internal goal of 2500 words a week but sometimes I get that written in 1 day and sometimes in 5:) Having some word count goal is important for writers so we know what to strive for and have a way to measure our productivity! I am most inspired to write after prayer and worship:) so I know God's presence exists in our creative process.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, should we county our blog comments as part of our writing:) haha kidding of course but we sure do a lot of writing!
LOL, Vishnu! Never thought about counting our comments as words credited to the amount per day, but maybe we should. :)
DeleteGlad to know you have a word goal, too, my friend. I do think it helps us to keep on track. Yesterday was one of those days when I couldn't get to the 500, so will be making up for it today.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Blessings always!
Wow! Martha, we are so much on the same page! That is really just too odd. I, myself, have never been one to have New Year's Resolutions either, but this year I felt I needed to make some changes, and since this came so close to New Years, I just called it a 'resolution' LOL. First off, I have felt led to write more. Not necessarily in words...I believe my posts are long enough already (ha,ha) but it seems every time I try to shorten it, they just get longer. So, I decided to leave the 'wordage' dept. in God's hands. But, I did feel that I wasn't sharing the Bible Studies often enough so I have made that change. Not only that, I felt that other areas of the site needed to be addressed, especially the Sharing Sunday Services. Then, of course, there's that suggestion that you had about 'checks and balances' when we find ourselves being judgmental, or just not showing love to another. So now, all of these are what I am working on in the year of 2014. So far, so good, but even if something happens that I am unable to fulfill any of these, I know that God will catch me and put me right back on my feet! Thank you Martha for sharing ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting today, Mary, and for your wonderful comment. From what you've said here, it does, indeed, sound like we are on the same page when it comes to writing. We need to go with the flow, allowing the Lord to work through us, and continue to spread the Good News to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see.
DeleteLove and blessings, my friend!
Dear Martha :),
ReplyDeletetoday I just wanted to pass by to say hi :) and wish you (though a bit late) a very good year 2014.Yet,as always when I find myself reading something from you,I feel like your posts are truly speaking to me.You always amaze me!As far as the God's presence is concerned I must admit that I mostly feel it when I'm in the library studying or just reading.I know it might sound strange,but I must say that nowhere else (not even in a church) I feel so much his presence and guidance.Sometimes I think it's because of all the things in life,studying and reading is what I love the most.Other times I think it's because although I'm a Christian I feel inspired by other religions,too.Thus in a library I feel on a middle ground where all the religions and wisdom of this world are united and at one place. I've never told this anyone,but I'm telling you now,I think my church is a library and there is where I feel close to God at most.I hope you get me :)...
In regard to this year's resolutions I didn't make any new.I still have some left from the last year that need to be completed,but overall I'm happy with my work.I guess last year I put too much on my shoulders...
Anyways,enough of me :)!
I wish you everything good with your book series and I send you my love :)...
Thanks for your work on here!
God bless you :)...
Jasmina, your wonderful comment has truly blessed me today. I am honored and humbled by your honesty and candor, my friend! Does it matter where we feel God's presence? Not at all! It's that we feel it, somewhere and often in our lives!
DeleteMay 2014 bring you every blessing from our Lord!
Love and blessings always!
XOXOXO :)
DeleteI feel God's presence most of the time and it is a comfort. I look for Him and listen for him. Sometimes you just have to step back and let Him show the way. Last couple of days I have felt so tired and instead of pushing myself to write, I have stepped back and rested asking Him to give me the words and strength to go on, and He does. Your posts are always so encouraging. ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting, Kathy, and for sharing your thoughts. It's so true that we sometimes have to step away and simply rest in Him. When we try to push ourselves without seeking God first, it is always a lose/lose situation. Glad to know you seek Him and know first hand of the comfort that brings.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your posts somehow always manage to talk to me directly Martha and that is precisely the reason why I love coming here again and again <3
ReplyDeleteIt means so much to me that my posts speak to you directly, Privy, and am so gratified that you are a friend and follower. I love your posts, too, but I know you know that! :)
DeleteLove and blessings!