The Me I Want to Be

"The Me I Want to Be." A catchy little phrase I'd like to say I made up myself, but I didn't. It's John Ortberg's new book! The subtitle is "Becoming God's best version of You!" Ohhhhh how I love this book and believe it's the best way to start my New Year's Day post!

While some believe in "New Year's Resolutions" and some do not, I propose a new sort of resolution to us all - to be the best ME you want to be!!!! There is something about a year changing (i.e. from 2010 to 2011) that is BIG! Whether you make New Year's resolutions or not, I believe deep down we all want change in our lives. Some want to lose weight, some want to gain financial freedom, others don't know what specific change they want - they just know SOMETHING has to change!!!

God created us for change. He created us with the intention of growing us into the person He created us to be. He knows our lives are marred by sin. He knows we are often tempted to do things we don't want to do. He knows we are selfish creatures who have the tendency to think about ourselves ahead of anyone else.

The good news is that He knows all of these secret truths about us, and HE LOVES US ANYWAY! He tells us that He has a plan for us... a plan not to harm us but to prosper us! He wants better for us than we do. He knows what's better for us than we do.

So as you ponder 2010 and look forward to 2011, I encourage you to team up with God to become the best ME you want to be. The power for real and lasting change only comes through Jesus Christ. He wants to help us every step of the way. He wants us to be free from the chains that bind us. He wants us to be FREE!!!!!

As I look back on 2010, I have wonderful memories!!! I have been blessed beyond measure by friends, family, co-workers, pastors, neighbors and even strangers. I have made mistakes. I am learning from my mistakes and growing closer to Christ with each and every one of them.

One of the highlights of my year was that it was the first year in 20 years that I wasn't in bondage to food. I wasn't trying to lose weight. I was ENJOYING the fruit of my labor. I barely have a memory prior to 2010 where I wasn't consumed with losing weight. Sweet freedom, my friends.

As I begin a new year, I do so with HOPE. I do so with PURPOSE. I do so with EAGERNESS. I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me. I am excited to see how He continues to make me the ME I want to be. I look forward to overcoming fears. I look forward to trying softer instead of trying harder! I look forward to loving better!

It is my greatest hope and prayer that each and every one of you MAKE it a great year in 2011. Don't fear change, embrace it! If God's in it - it'll be the best change you have ever experienced!

Here's to being the best ME we can be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless!
Tara