The New Year is filled with resolutions and hopes of improvement.  In the past, I would resolve to lose weight or something else that would make me better.  Proverbs 16:3 is, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (New International Version ( NIV), 2011)  This year, I seek to improve my spiritual health and draw closer to God.  My prayer life was more frequent when I was a stay at home mom.  I had plenty of time, when my kids were at preschool or napping, that I could read my bible and pray each day.  I spent an hour most days either in God’s Word or praying.  Now that I am working, I try to wake up and have quiet time before I get ready for work.  However, there are mornings that I want to sleep later instead of getting up.

For the past 7 years, I have been working full time and don’t spend as much time in God’s Word I once did.  If I skimp on this time in the morning, I promise to do it when I get home.  But when I get home, I tackle laundry and cleaning instead of my Bible.  Social media and online distractions were not around to distract me in the days I stayed at home.  I open Facebook to unwind and relax, but end up browsing for hours.  These electronic distractions keep me from spending time with God.

For 2016, I resolve to spend more time with God and less time online.  Our church is doing a 40 day prayer challenge to start the New Year.  With this challenge, my husband and I are reading God’s Word and praying each night.  I open my Bible app instead of Facebook when I wake up.  I will do a one week fast from social media later this month to renew my relationship with Him.  I believe God has great things in store for me in 2016 and I can’t wait to see what happens.  One thing is for sure:  I will draw closer to Him this year than ever before.