How to keep going when the resolutions fail

Network Norfolk journalist, Ruth Starkings wonders if New Year resolutions are really the key to being a better person

By now we might be considering making one or two New Year’s resolutions. I have never been particularly good at making New Year's resolutions as my resolve was generally gone a few days into the New Year! 

Last January, I chose not to make any resolutions but not because I knew I would fail in keeping them. I did not make any because I believe I can resolve to be a better person, to behave in a better way, to be better at each new day, on any day of the year. I believe that when I lose my resolve, whether for a moment, for a day or for longer, I do not have to wait until the next January 1 to start again. Right there, in that moment, in that day, I can pick myself up and begin again

I have been learning about grace. Grace is a word that is used to describe so many things - the way someone moves, behaviour, God's undeserved and unmerited favour, what we say before a meal, a period of favour shown to someone and a way to address someone. The grace that I have been learning about is grace that gives me something I do not deserve which I can then give to others

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”   Ephesians 2:4-8(NKJV) 

These bible verses, and many others, tell me my life is covered by grace and that is why, when I lose my resolve, I can continue and pick myself up and keep on walking. For a long time, I have been familiar with grace. However, it is only more recently that I have learnt that grace covers everything. Grace turns feeling a failure into feeling secure. Grace turns fear into peace. Grace catches me when I fall

When I let grace hold me and guide me it begins to change me from the inside. I hope it is turning me into a person who can show grace to others. Grace has turned my world upside down

So maybe I will make a New Year's resolution after all! As every sun brings a new day, then so shall I try to live a life which is covered by grace and one which gives out grace in return

The above image is courtesy of https://pixabay.com

Ruth Starkings is the Family Worker at Meadow Way Chapel in Hellesdon. She also enjoys writing, and just over a year ago started a blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day’

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines