The Top 4



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 It is New Year’s resolution time. Today is the 4th of January so more accurately it is probably broken resolution time. I did a search yesterday to read news articles to find the top resolutions that people make. Most lists have these in the top four:


Lose Weight
Quit Smoking
Reduce Debt
Drink Less Alcohol

It isn’t surprising. These are usually the top resolutions. If something stays on the list of top resolutions from year to year it tells you one thing. We are not good at following through. As I was thinking about resolutions this year I was reminded of some people I had seen over the holiday. I was back visiting some people I hadn’t seen in a while. A few of these people display self injurious behavior - it was difficult to see. I had forgotten how hard it is to watch someone hurt themselves. I know for many people who work supporting people with special needs they would say that dealing with self injurious behaviors is one of the hardest things. Most would say they would do anything to help a person quit this behavior. Hopefully access to local behavioral supports is in place. I am sorry I don’t have a quick fix for you. But I again think of the top resolutions. It is hard for us to watch someone we care about do something that hurts them.

Imagine it from God’s perspective. He loves us and He watches us do things that are bad for us or downright injurious to our bodies or our spirits all the time. I think about how hard it must be. I am reminded of the story of the lost (prodigal) son (Luke 15). That father knew his son was squandering his inheritance on things that were bad for body and spirit. He longed for his son’s return to be reconciled as well as to stop what the NIV calls “wild living”. If you need some help sticking to your resolutions this year and some of those harmful behaviors are on your list I challenge you to think of you r loving Father who wants the best for you.

Mark Wallace