Fixing and Bible Journaling

I received some clever Christmas gifts this year. Some were inspiring -- gym bag, workout pants and a French word-a-day calendar. Some were helpful -- a foam roller mat, jewelry organizer and magnetic note pads. Some were meaningfully (is that a word) unique -- a Texas Tech James Avery charm, Trader Joe's pomegranate body butter and Bloody Mary mix.

One was seemingly so simple, but perfectly suited for me -- a box of pale blue, Southern phrase pencils. Pencils with dark lead waiting to be sharpened. Phrases on point (like the pencils will soon be) such as just darling, goodness gracious and oh my stars. Straight from Nashville and Reese Witherspoon's store, Draper James, these pencils are waiting for big things in 2017. And, I can't wait to use them to write in this upcoming year.

It's a year of change for us. I've potentially a new role at work that I found out about the last work day of 2016. Chris moves to Lubbock for school. Camille starts on a gymnastics journey that isn't unusual, according to many, but new to us. Caroline aspires to run barrels (after she trots them, of course). G and I have big birthdays this year. (I can't write the number yet, but it is out there, staring me down, greeting me and waiting.)

It's also a year of fixing. In the past, our family has had a phrase or word for the new year and we apply it to the resolutions to which we aspire. This year, it's 'fixing.' No more putting off projects, moving broken things to the side or stacking up to dos. We've got screens to replace, ceilings to paint, clothes to be mended, necklaces to repair and laptops to clean. Lots of fixing that has been put off too many times, too many days, too many weeks . . . you get it. We've procrastinated and now 2017 is for fixing.

(I wonder if a Draper James pencil from sweet Reese would read fixin' to?)

(Not only did I receive clever Christmas gifts, I am clever.)

(Maybe I should sharpen one of those new pencils and get to writing. Or writin'.)

There are other things to fix that aren't so visible. We need to fix our church going (or goin') and find a place that matches who we are and where we are. I need to fix my sleep patterns without relying on sleep aids and medication. We need to fix our schedules to include more family and downtime -- how that will fit in, I'm not sure. But I don't want it too broken before we fix it. We need to fix our finances and be better savers -- the 529 we have will only last so long.

These fixes are not hard, not impossible, but they do require thought and planning. I'm thinking future fourth parts will be writing down (with the pencils) how to best fix things. A way to do that is to write in my new Bible. I've not had a new Bible in years. And, because of meeting a very inspiring, clever woman this year, I've discovered Bible journaling. With some Christmas money, I bought the Inspire Bible. To say I'm intimidated as to how to start -- I mean, I can draw a cross and a vine and maybe a heart -- is an understatement. But, I can't wait to start. I've got those new pencils, some flair pens and will be buying some official Bible journaling pencils (remember my affinity for Amazon Prime?!) so I can get going. Fixing that walk with Jesus, right?

And, this fixing business isn't new as my Bible or my pencils are . . .there are a few references in the Bible to fixing. Maybe they aren't technically repairing something as I'm hoping to do in the new year, but these verses really do help us fix our ways.

Hebrews 12:2 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

2 Corinthians 4:18 'So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.'

Deuteronomy 11:18 'Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.'

Proverbs 4:25 'Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.'

In this new Bible, I can journal and maybe I'll try and start with these fix verses -- a good place to start for 2017. But, I'll use my special new pencils so I can get it right -- or at least be able to erase in case I need to fix my work.

Happy New Year.