Remaining Constant

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I almost didn't write this post at all. It was just too tempting to decide that I could just stick with my 2014 word, or better yet, pretend that I'd never posted about a 2014 word. After all, we didn't do nearly all the reducing that we wanted to, and there is still more to be done. Realizing that we didn't finish reducing was discouraging, and I started to feel like I had completely failed. I started to remind myself that we made progress and that's not failure! We haven't "arrived" at our final destination, but we're on the road. We made these statements of intent about a year ago:

We are going to REDUCE our debt load.
We are going to REDUCE our spending.
We are going to REDUCE the amount of stuff we have.
We are going to REDUCE our outside commitments.
We are going to REDUCE our waistlines.

 Our debt load isn't at zero; our spending isn't down to nothing; our stuff isn't completely gone; our outside commitments haven't disappeared from our calendar; and our waistlines and weights are not down to the ideal and optimal measurements. But that doesn't mean we haven't made great moves in the right direction! And it doesn't mean we are giving up on those goals. We are committed to continuing to reduce in these areas in 2015, so after some thought, I chose the word CONSTANT for this year.

Being "constant" means:
-we continue without letting up
-our efforts are regularly recurrent and persistent
-we are faithful, loyal, and devoted
-we are steadfast and resolute

My aim is to be CONSTANT in our efforts to cut debt and spending; simplify our home; streamline our calendars; and improve our health. Being CONSTANT and faithful in commitments and relationships is very important to me as well - continuing to be loyal and devoted to my husband and family, to our friendships and to our church; and remaining steadfast in our commitment to educate our children at home, especially as we edge ever nearer to their graduation and independence.

Oh, and why did I choose pictures of my house to go along with my word in the image? I guess because it's a "constant" factor and a focus of many of our efforts; and because I want our home to represent constancy for us - a place of safety and steadfast love and support. And I was reminded of this quote from a favorite children's book (The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton)

Day followed day, each one a little different from the one before... but the little house stayed just the same.

If you're familiar with the story, you'll know that the reference to the little house staying 'just the same' means that it was a constant in a changing world, a steadfast and homey place that could be counted on.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. ~I Corinthians 15:57-58

This post is linked up at the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog, at Tots and Me... Growing Up, at Pea of Sweetness, and at Holly Gerth.

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