Early in my first marriage, money was tight. I offered to cut my husband’s hair to save us the cost of a haircut. I was a bit anxious, because I’d never cut anyone’s hair before, but snip, snip – so far, so good.

Then after one more snip on the right side of his head … well, let’s just say, that was one snip too many.

“Uh oh,” I said with a nervous laugh. My husband ran to the bathroom mirror – and left me seven years later.

I can only conclude that it must have been the “one snip too many” that began my marriage’s demise. Certainly it wasn’t because of any character flaws in either of us, right? Truth be told, our marriage would have been better served if a few of our character flaws had been snipped off instead of my husband’s locks.

I’m incredibly thankful for all the snipping God has done in me since that time, but I still haven’t arrived. I want to continue to grow and mature. With God’s help, I resolve to purposely pursue a more Christ-like behavior, month after month, in 2018. Will you join me?

Let’s ask God to examine our hearts so we can begin the new year with a realistic plan that will allow us to see steady growth throughout the year.

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 AMPC.

What if, at the beginning of each month, we ask God to search our hearts and thoughts to show us one area in our life (the choices we’re making) that is displeasing to Him? Then, prayerfully, throughout that month, we do whatever it takes (meditating on scriptures, LOTS of time spent with God, accountability, etc.) to change?

If we do this month after month, imagine what we’ll have to celebrate next New Year’s Eve – a transformation even better than the best of haircuts can give.

(This article from my archives was revised – or should I say transformed – for this week’s post.)

What about you?

You can use a pseudonym (fake name) when commenting.

• What do you think would happen if you tried this approach?
• Which area of your life would you like to see growth in?

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