This really stuck out to me when I came across it a couple of days ago in our daily Easter season prayer book from church. Obviously, it applies to me, so I'm really glad that I read it and that it seems to be one of those things that's lingering in my brain for further contemplation and future recall.
Although, this has always been something that I've had in the back of my mind and like to try to do my best with: continual self improvement. I think this is an opportunity to bring it to the forefront and re-evaluate. In fact, I have a saved list of goals that I remember writing during the summer before leaving for college (11 years ago). For some reason, this semper reformanda train of thought prompted me to get it out and review. Here they are, quoted and in order: (this should be fun)
*get and stay fit and active
*stay healthy (every way)
*keep and embellish my relationship with God
*keep God in control (in everything)
*be a witness (now and in my career!)
*work hard (at everything)
*nurture all of my relationships
*adjust well to everything
*be busy and productive
*have fun - do what I enjoy
*don't get sunburned
While copying this list over in here, I was thinking that this, for me, is still a pretty comprehensive list of the goals that I try to continually work on. It's actually kind of suprising that it can be so old yet still suit me so well. (and the fact that I was 18 when I wrote it!)
I think, though, that there are probably times where some of these things are easier and some of them are harder and they somewhat go in cycles. Like right now, I would say that the ones dealing with God pose the biggest challenge, followed by the ones relating to being fit and having a healthy, active lifestyle (that one definitely goes in cycles).
Yes, most definitely, Semper Reformanda.
I just heard an interesting talk on prayer. The speaker was saying that, as we get older and have spent more time in prayer and grow closer to God, we tend to think it should become easier for us. We're older and more experienced - we should have it all down by now. But the truth is that, as we become more faithful and faith-filled through prayer, God leads us into rockier terrain, going deeper and challenging us further.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard with little ones - not much time to yourself to even catch your breath, let alone spend a decent amount of time in prayer. But God has grace for your stage of life. Just the fact that you uncovered these goals and want to work on them again is a step in the right direction. God's grace is there to meet you.