It’s hard to believe we are beginning the fourth week of 2018. If statistics are correct, about half of us made one or more New Year’s resolutions, and some of us have already given up on the possibility of achieving that goal. A Forbes report noted that only 8% of people making resolutions actually accomplish their desired results by the end of the year.

Although I want to exercise more, take vitamins more regularly, and make healthy eating choices, I decided to make a different type of a resolution this year. I would like to look back on 2018 and be able to say that I’ve become a more grateful, thankful person. As I’ve tumbled into bed at night the last couple of weeks, I’ve tried to include thanking the Lord for things that I often take for granted: a warm home, a comfortable bed, clean sheets, and cozy blankets. I hope throughout the year to make thankfulness part of my daily living, but I’m sure it will take work and deliberate thinking.

As widows, it’s so easy to think about what we’ve lost or what we no longer have. Earlier this week, a couple in front of me exchanged a loving glance as the man put his arm around his wife. I smiled and thought, Now wouldn’t that be nice? I would assume these kinds of thoughts will always be part of widows’ lives. It’s part of acknowledging our losses, and we are normal human beings who desire loving touches. During 2018, I hope to include grateful thoughts for the privilege of seeing loving couples.

For the past several years, I’ve asked the Lord in December to lead me to a Scripture to govern the coming new year. A couple of passages have been significant guides as circumstances developed during those years. This year I’ve chosen Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In meditating on this Scripture, I realized that joy and peace do not come from my circumstances, possessions, family, or friends. God is the Source. My responsibility is to trust Him in each circumstance. Joy and peace then generate abundant hope, which comes to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Maybe you can join me this year on my journey in thankfulness. May He fill all of us with joy, peace, and hope.