Three New Year’s Resolutions for Parents to Create a Balanced Life
The life of a parent is busy, and the beginning of a new year brings the addition of new plans and an ever-growing family schedule to keep track of. Yet in the midst of it all, the beginning of a new year presents the opportunity to contemplate what is truly important.
In this new year, I recommend that parents make resolutions aimed towards finding and maintaining balance in the different areas of their lives. With this in mind, I suggest three simple New Year’s resolutions that are foundational to leading a balanced life.
Spiritual - As a parent it is important to be constantly nourished by God. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” We need to be immersed in God in order to bear fruit for our families. This year, make a resolution to set time aside for God every day. For me this takes the form of listening to “One Year” devotions every morning. Whether you add an application for a daily verse to your phone or praise God in the car while driving, find a way to include God in every aspect of your day. When you have been spiritually nourished, God’s blessing in your life can overflow to your family.
Family - Taking care of our family’s needs is part of every parent’s daily tasks. In fact, God has commanded us to care for our families, saying, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). As you lovingly work for the good of your household, make a resolution to remember that you are doing what God has commanded you to do. Your service is an act of obedience.
Work - Whether your work takes place in an office, on a job site, or at home teaching your child, there are moments when work becomes tiring and even stressful. How you react when this happens is your choice. The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Make a the simple resolution to be thankful to God for the work that he has given you.
Balance is difficult to achieve, but by staying connected to God, obeying God’s command to care for our families, and thanking God for the work he has given us, parents can take one step closer towards achieving a balanced life.
As you prepare for another year of serving your family and accepting God’s blessing in your life, I invite you to join me in adding simple steps to your daily routine that will bring balance to your life, and ultimately the life of your family.
