Well you already know what I think about “resolutionaries” — but this seemed a healthy way to end my year’s posts!

Singing Owl of RevGals writes:

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, but it does seem a good time for some reflection and planning. For the last few days I keep thinking of Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Among other things, that seems to say that reflection is in order if we want to learn and grow.

For some of us, this has been an incredibly difficult year; for others it has been a year of many joys. For all of us, there have been challenges and questions and there have been blessings and–maybe even an answer or two! As we say our goodbyes to 2010 and look towards 2011, share with us five blessings from 2010 along with five hopes or dreams for 2011.

1. Bearded Brewer’s continued job stability. In an economy such as ours, it’s not something to take for granted. I’ve thought more than once that the freedom I have to do CPE, to learn and grow as a chaplain and pastor, is because God grants him a steady income. I pray that he will continue to be encouraged in his profession, his knowledge and his spiritual life, and enjoy and build those kindred spirit relationships that so bless his heart.

2. Health. Working as a chaplain, I walk with people in some very hard places. They struggle with decisions that no one ever wants to face. And I’m grateful that I am not facing those decisions myself, at least not at the moment!

3. Family. Husband, daughters, extended family — I love them so much. After all the weird family systems that I witness at work, I’m thankful for a healthy one. Or at least, one that admits that they are ‘real’ and not ‘plastic’! For our daughters especially: I pray for them to continue to become the servants God has made them to be — whether in their studies, their work, their relationships or their passions — that they will take the risks as they see the opportunities unfold before them. And that they have opportunities based on their gifts, not their gender.

4. Church. We’ve moved to a new church and ministry. It was not an easy transition. We still have connections with the old one, but they are the healthy ones. By learning how to de-triangulate myself from the old situations, I am healthier and more effective in the new. God is good.

5. Ministry. To people, in all kinds of places. My definition of what I thought my “ministry” would be was jettisoned long ago. God continues to direct as I continue to listen. Knowing I am where I am supposed to be at the moment is an incredibly freeing, empowering event! I don’t know if I will be able to be “board-certified” as a chaplain or not. Being a member of and ordained by an ’emergent’ church means that the certifying body may or may not consider me as a good candidate. I know that as a “walk-besider” I am serving and caring for people in a manner that pleases God. The specifics are therefore in God’s Hands. Where should I be? What avenue should I take as my focus? In what capacity? I hope to simply listen and ‘be’ there as God asks.

BONUS: If I could or dream into existence one thing, what would it be?
I have a book started. With limited time and energy, how much do I invest in terms of time, energy (and money) in seeing it come to fruition?