Those naturally organized people who always seem to have it all together cause me to strive to be more organized, but actually they annoy me more than I care to admit. Maybe they look at my creative tendencies and wish they could be a little more spontaneous. Who knows? But one thing I do know is that organizational skills have to make life flow more smoothly, so, once more, gaining ground in this area stays on my list.

If you have read my column for any length of time you may laugh and think we will be hearing this again about January of 2020! And truth be told, you probably will, but taking stock and trying to move forward has always been in my nature so I keep on trying to improve in those areas where I struggle.

This year, my children and I sat around the table, well almost all of them. One was unable to make it home this year. We laughed and laughed as my sweet daughter in love told how nervous she was the first time we had a holiday meal together.

“I had almost made it through the meal. You guys served some dishes that I didn’t really love so I pushed those around on my plate and tried to smile and say a little something once in a while. The knots in my stomach loosened up a bit, and I thought my escape was in sight. Little did I know your Mom was just getting cranked up. When we held hands and prayed that took me a little by surprise, but I got through it without choking. Right before time to get up from the table I heard your Mom’s sweet voice.

“Let’s all think about what we are thankful for. We’ll go around the table and share our thoughts. Ryan, Do you want to start us off,” she said without realizing I was freaking out.

“I know this in the norm for you guys, but my family never did anything like that, and I felt like a deer caught in the headlights!”

“Well, I guess you are about used to it now,” I said with a chuckle.

“You have hung with us pretty well! Now that you mention it let’s take a minute and set a goal or two for 2019. We will all pledge to pray for each other with our goals in mind. Does that work for you guys?”

We all agreed and took some time to think about the things we each wanted to accomplish this year. Some of the goals were spiritual, some financial, some physical, but all of them gave insight into how to pray for the other members of our family. I want to be more organized; I’ll work on that. I want to be early for events and appointments; I’ll work on that. But more than anything I want to live a life that honors Christ. Without His help this is impossible, but with His help and strength I can do all things.

Jan Penton Miller can be reached at lilsisjan@yahoo.com.