The first day of each New Year, I think of all the resolutions I've made in the past, most of which I never kept. Statistics show only an eight percent success rate in New Year's goals. New beginnings are sort of exciting. In the past I've resolved to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more -- all to improve myself. This year I need to gain weight; who would have ever thought! I lost my appetite a few years ago and each new situation makes me less able to eat. My oncology nurse told me to eat calories, like lots of butter, ice cream, milk shakes -- all those foods I tried to avoid much of my life.
Making resolutions reminds me of all those promises made, but seldom kept. The government is good at making empty promises, makes us lose our trust in anything they say.
How many vows are made at weddings -- to love and honor until death? Yet those vows are so easily broken. I didn't realize I was making a commitment when my husband and I were married in the Methodist parsonage in Gravette. But, I'm finding that vow I took over 60 years ago meant more than just to love and honor my husband as long as we both lived, but it is a commitment I live with every day. These days it's a commitment to take care of my husband in sickness, for better or worse -- I think we're going through the "worse."
I didn't realize it until I became an adult, but there is sort of a "family commitment." Sure, I didn't ask to be born in my family, for the brothers and sisters I had, but we cherish each other. Our family means something to us. Even when I was young, if someone talked against any of my siblings, I became very angry and stood up for them. Brother Paul was just one year older than me and he was always getting into scraps. I rooted for him, even though he might be the one who started the fight.
My father believed in a man's word. If he shook hands on something, you could count on it. Years ago there was no such thing as a contract; people had faith in each other.
"I guarantee it!" was a saying of Festus on old episodes of Gunsmoke. But there are no guarantees. Even Festus' remarks were pure bluster. Cars and appliances offer warranties and contracts that sometimes disappoint the buyer.
One of my favorite sayings to my husband is "trust me." When I say that, I mean for him to listen to what I'm saying and respond accordingly. Sometimes he can trust what I'm saying, but not always. I'm often wrong.
No, there are no guarantees. We can't always count on people's promises. Even vows we make to ourselves can be broken. Because we are only human. We fail often.
But I've found there is One whose promises are completely trustworthy. That Someone is God. The Bible is full of His promises, and I believe in all of them, even when sometimes I don't understand. So, if I make any resolutions this year, it's to trust more in His word.
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Editor's note: Marie Wiggin Putman, and her husband, Jerry, live in Little Flock. A native of Benton County, she writes a monthly column for the Westside Eagle Observer. She and her husband are members of the Pea Ridge Historical Society.
Editorial on 01/08/2014