Resolutions?

ALERT! This is a repeat from my other blog, The Incredible Shrinking Man. So if you are on that distribution you might have read it.

Last year I changed it from resolutions to goals. In reviewing those goals I discovered it was a miserable failure. There is an old saying that, if you want to make God laugh, make plans. I won't bore you with the details but, if you read my other blog, The Incredible Shrinking Man, you will know that the weight loss didn't quite get done. I did make some personnel changes at the nursing home but, unfortunately it was me. Not exactly what I had planned but life is a cabaret! So with that happening in February, the year kind of meandered for a few months, headed in one direction, then ended in another. So I ended the year fully employed, with lots to do, and Emma right where she belongs, putting up with me. I guess I am a pretty fortunate guy!!!

Back to the resolutions. Lose weight, yeh, yeh. Pretty obvious I would say. It would make life a great deal more enjoyable. But I am thinking on a more grand scale. I see many problems in the world and I think I have a little something to offer toward solving them. No, I am not running for political office. I said I wanted to work on solving problems, not creating new ones or making things worse! So here are a few things I will be working on in 2012:

1. Hunger. No I have had breakfast. I'm talking about hunger in these United States of America. Not Bangladesh, or whatever they call themselves today. More specifically, I am talking about people going hungry in Caldwell County, Texas. Last year I was invited to participate in the Texas Hunger Initiative and it really opened my eyes. We have always supported our local food banks but this project is about identifying where the needs are and how to get resources to them. There are a bunch of poor people living in remote rural areas that have very limited transportation available. The problem is complex but our group is meeting in a couple of weeks to get our plan implemented. As many of these folks are elderly I have a special interest in their plight so I will update you on how this project is going.

2. Save My Church. One of last year's goals was to find a new church. Didn't happen. Not because there aren't any other churches around. But we have been members of this church for 15 years, in the denomination for over 30 years, and we like it there. We love the people but apparently we don't appeal to those looking for a church. Our membership has been dwindling over the past 10 years, along with our bank account. We just released our minister because we couldn't afford a full time position. There were concerns because she had not brought in new members but in fact, alienated some of the long-time members. This is not the place to air family business but I decided late last year that I was going to do everything I can in 2012 to work on rebuilding this church. You might even see me on television marketing it, perish the thought! I have some ideas but the membership, what is left of it, has to buy in or it will be a lost cause. Deficit spending cannot go on forever, unless you can print money. We need to pray, pull up our britches, and get to work!

3. Saving Those Future People. Yes, I am talking about the unborn children. I'm talking about defending those babies that have the misfortune to be in the womb of someone that thinks of them as "tissue". I served on the board of Central Texas Life Care, a pro-life pregnancy center in San Marcos, TX for several years and have been a supporter of the center for 10 years. They provide free pregnancy testing, free ultrasounds, free counseling, (notice "free"). They also serve as a clearinghouse for resources for the pregnant mothers. It is a Christ based ministry and has a great success rate.

4. Pet Population Control. Our county has a real problem with irresponsible pet owners and the resulting unwanted pets. Our shelters are overflowing and euthanizing is the only alternative. The local governments spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to deal with a problem that could be easily controlled if people would just be responsible and spay or neuter their pets. A local organization I support is Lockhart Cause for Paws. There main fundraising program is to pay for spaying and neutering of strays. They have no paid staff and all of the money goes to that cause.

Get the picture? My resolution is to be more charitable. More involved in my community and the people working to make it better. Obviously I would encourage you to support any of the above organizations but that is not the point. The point is that we, as individuals, have the opportunity and responsibility to be involved in the lives of those around us that are who Jesus referred to as "the least of us". My hope is that you will make this your resolution too.

Happy New Year and God Bless!

Larry