To start the 2012 New Year, I joined a handful of others and
jumped in the pacific ocean. Ya, not that great of a feat, considering on
previous New Years I’ve jumped in Lake Washington. But none the less – it was
still invigorating and a fun way to launch into the New Year.
As of yet, I haven’t decided what this New Year will entail?
I’m not sure what will signify the start of 2014.
I have a small family – a wife and two kids (a four and a
half yr old boy and 1 and a half yr old girl). Last year I embarked to the
beach in Hermosa to jump in, by myself. It was fun. But I missed doing it with
my wife. I missed having my family there to experience it too.
Family.
Family really is important in this day and age. With all our
ability within social media for immediate connections, there is still something
about spending time with family. A walk in the park, a jump in the lake, a kite
flying, a bike ride; there is still something compelling about our tangible family
connections.
Over the past few months I’ve thought a lot about the word “holistic.”
It seems important to give appropriate and healthy (note healthy) amounts of time,
energy and intention to work, family, physical health and spiritual health.
Many of us desire this holistic life.
We all know the importance of spending time at work, accomplishing
tasks, getting a paycheck, and providing for our (family) needs. We show up
(40ish hours a week) and strive to do our best.
We all know the importance of balancing work life with our
family life. Our parents, our siblings, our spouse, our kids; they need our
attention, and we need theirs. Balancing time at work with family has been at
the top of many New Year’s Resolution lists for years.
We see the health of our nation, our neighbors, our family –
and we are driven to think about our physical health. Many will commit to
loosing that “extra weight” from the holidays. We join Health clubs with good
intentions. We lace up the trainers and run around the block. We eat better,
play better, and work better.
But so often we forget one aspect of the holistic pie – our
spiritual health!
What are you doing this New Year to tend to your spiritual
health? BibleGateway and You.Version have great bible reading plans. Many
churches have Bible Studies & Small groups. Our church is going to read “the
Story” this New Year in 2014.
To live a holistic life – we must give attention to each
aspect of our life pie. It’s not healthy to leave one out, or let it sit
neglected. Friends who are out of work can attest to this. They’re anxious, and
bored, they’re frustrated, and ready. We understand this. So let’s be
intentional this new year to tend to all the aspects of our life.
As I think about it, this New Year, I hope to take my family
out for a walk in the park (or perhaps the Strand). I hope we can create time
to be together, exercise (running after the little ones), admire God’s
creation, and breathe deeply the hope of a new year. As the apostle Paul wrote
in Philippians : Forgetting what is behind, and pressing on toward what lies
ahead.
join me on – a walk in
the park
(ps – and if you’re curious, our church gathers SUNDAYS @
five)
{beachcitiesnaz.org}
{beachcitiesnaz.org}
