New Year’s resolutions are made each year by almost seventy-five percent of adults. We evaluate where we are and where we want to go. It’s a time of introspection and declaration. But why spend just one day being intentional? Why not make resolutions for each of the 365 new days ahead of us?
Happy New 365 Days
Instead of a happy new year, let’s think of it as a happy new 52 weeks. Or a happy new 365 days. Each new day or week is a fresh start. A new opportunity to evaluate and spend a few moments being introspective. A new space to pay attention and be wowed by what you notice when you’re paying attention.
It’s rather limiting to lump all those days into one, isn’t it? Why should January 1 get all the points for goal setting? Why should January 1 grab all the newness?
God doesn’t prefer one day over the other for His work to be done. Every day He searches for those whose hearts are seeking Him, and He faithfully meets us where we are.
I recall this to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23 NASB1995
Resolutions for your Marriage
Setting a resolution for your marriage is a great way to improve your relationship. Time spent together being intentional about your oneness is a wonderful investment. Why not make a resolution for your marriage, not just on one day in January, but a resolution that you can revisit every day or week of the year?
When I set goals I need help keeping them. So I use tools. Here are some tools that have been helpful to us in keeping our resolutions to be more intentional about our marriage.
Tools to Help you Keep Marriage Resolutions
- 52 Uncommon Dates (affiliate link) is a great resource with fun suggestions for uncommon dates. They all include a short devotional and simple discussion questions.
- 10 Great Dates to Energize your Marriage (affiliate link). Each of the 10 dates has a short chapter to read. Tear our sheets are included for his and hers questions to answer before your date. Take the sheets on your date and you have something to talk about other than the kids.
- The Marriage Course is a well-respected resource that can be done online or in person. Kensington Church is offering an online version starting this month.
- Why not invite a few couples to do a marriage study with you? That’s a great way to build intentionality into your marriage and make new friends. Vertical Marriage (affiliate link) by Dave and Ann Wilson is a great place to start.
- Purchase a journal and plan to fill it this year with love notes to your spouse. Share spiritual insights with him, write about the things you notice him doing well. Reflect daily on how thankful you are for him. A full year of thanking God for your spouse is sure to grow your gratitude. Keep it a surprise and give it to him for Christmas next year.
I wish you a very happy 365 new days!