’Tis the season to get a cold or flu. A week ago I was having dinner with a friend, feeling just fine. Then I get home and wham! Sniffles, running nose, headache. I hit the NyQuil and went to straight to bed.  

The next day I struggled through my obligations and then there I was again. NyQiulled up and back in bed. The following day I was down for the count. Never left the house. Barely left my bed. Moved on to Zicam.

Everyone checking in on me had their own remedies, from hot toddies to sweating it out. Only my sister differed. She is a huge believer in a natural Wellness Formula. She takes it religiously each day, and if she feels the threat of a cold, she doubles or triples up. She hasn’t been sick in two years!

I have also since learned that while sneezing into our elbows and washing our hands through the ABCs are both good things to do during the cold and flu season, doctors believe that only 8-10 hours of good sleep will prevent a cold, even if it's already in your body.

In other words, both scenarios point to the same conclusion. If we take care of ourselves beforehand, we can avoid a cold, so we won’t have to suffer through the misery of having it or take extreme measures after-the fact to try and get rid of it.

Oh yes, there is definitely a spiritual application here. God’s Word is our wellness formula in every sense. If we faithfully ingest it daily, and double or triple up on it when we feel tempted, threatened, or attacked by Satan, we can avoid many of “maladies."  Unfortunately, too many of us wait until we are “sick” before we turn back to God’s Word and heed its advice.

Let’s all be proactive this year and make 2019 a year to stay well, both physically and spiritually.

I need to get stronger. My doctor said so. Yes, it turns out that as we grow older our bones grow a bit weaker, and we have to work harder to keep them strong.

“Lift weights,” he said. “Carry your bag when you go golfing.” But I can assure you that that isn’t going to happen. I enjoy the game too much to make it into a gym exercise. I am content to push my bag around on my push cart, which provides some exercise. However, in order to follow directions and strengthen my bones, I did the next best thing. I joined Planet Fitness where there is no “gymtimidation.” (Disclaimer: That isn't me in the picture and never was! Not even close!)

Now here’s the rub. I have to go there and do it. In theory, I want to have strong bones. In practice, I find excuses not to follow through. Excuses like … I have important things to do first … or … it’s now too late in the day … or my favorite … It’s cold. (Even though the gym isn’t.)

However, when I do drag myself there, I am pleased I did. The workout is not exhaustive, but I feel stronger.

This need to build up my bone strength got me thinking about the lack of strength in other areas of my life. Maybe you are like me and need to get stronger in discipline or kindness. So my goal for 2019 is to get stronger. Strength to be more disciplined. To be kinder and compassionate. Strength to become involved. To be more honest and pure. All good in theory. All a bit more difficult in practice.

But I am learning that if I am to be successful, I must rely on God to give me strength. Relying on my own strength, I cave in and carve out excuses.

So my two verses for this year are “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13) and “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29).

May you rely on God’s strength as well as you face the difficult areas in your life this year.

Recently, I had to update the operating system on my phone. This is always a scary proposition as often the upgrade changes the look, and consequently the way I have to navigate through the phone. (I don’t do well with technological learning curves.) Occasionally it even comes with a few new glitches. However, this time, I received an unexpected surprise that I have quite enjoyed.

My phone asked me if I wanted to chose the “Will not receive notifications while you are driving” option. (Or something close to that.) I thought about it for a moment and clicked yes. Great decision.

I often have occasion to drive long distances as all of my family live out of the area. On these trips I will plug in my phone to charge, but will also have it open to see if I have an incoming message. Unfortunately, I have not been disciplined enough to let the message rest, and will log in (yes, while driving) and then pull up the message and read it (yes, while driving), and sometimes I will respond (though that part is hands free).

These texts have never been urgent and most likely never would be. If they had been, then I am sure the messenger would have called me––not messaged me.

So now, with my new Do Not Disturb app, there is no reason to keep checking my phone. My concentration is focused totally on the trip, so I am less distracted, less anxious, and more at peace, and much more able to enjoy my surroundings. I usually stop every two to three hours anyway to stretch my legs or get gas, and I have found that no major world crises have occurred during the time I wasn’t available. And the messages I did receive did not suffer because of the wait.

I need a “Will not receive notifications while I am having my devotions” setting on my life. What a difference my quiet time would be. It doesn’t take much to distract me. A flicker outside the window. A ping on my phone. The site of my iPad and remembering I have some unused lives on Candy Crush. The thought that I haven’t checked the stocks that day or the weather for the week (both of which can really put a person off their game plan). It really doesn’t matter. Any and all can throw me off.

However, when I do manage to quiet my mind and calm my heart. When I am able to sit in silence and read, then listen, then talk to God, the road of life gets a little bit easier to navigate, the future less confusing, and I am less anxious and much more at peace.

For me one of the best parts of the new year is a new calendar.

I can spend hours in a store looking at all the calendar options, scanning the backs of each just searching for that one where every month has a great picture. I especially like those that have a picture for every day of the year. Yes, they are small pictures but every morning has its own special surprise.

I realize I could save half the cost of the calendar if I waited a couple of weeks into the new year and then bought one, but my options would be fewer, and I would miss two weeks of enjoying the current picture. Also, that blank calendar reminds me that there are 365 days of opportunities and possibilities, and I don't want to visually miss a one of them.

As this year unfolds for you, and the calendar dates begin to fill in, I realize that some of those dates will be for the mundane and even the sad, but I also hope that you have new adventures, friendships, and opportunities. Happy New Year!