October 2026
As a family that is a part of the Reformed tradition of faith, we focus on the Reformation during the month of October. Our church hosts a Reformation Party; we talk about the reformers and what they taught; we watch movies like Luther; and we focus on the purity of the Gospel. However, as we enter the autumn season, it can be a time of thanksgiving and personal reformation. It is a great time to reflect on the year that is going by and count your blessings. You can reflect on what you have accomplished, or failed to accomplish, and make new goals for the upcoming year. It can be a time of repentance and renewal as you continue to seek God and grow in sanctification. As someone who isn’t very introspective, this is an area where I seek to grow.
We have had two family goals this year that seem like they will be accomplished. We set out to have family worship more consistently, with the goal of at least four times a week. We have done well with that, often exceeding that expectation. One of the biggest factors for our success has been changing the time. We used to try to hold family worship right before or after dinner. Due to work schedules, events, and other commitments, it was difficult to find four nights when we could do that. This year we started meeting first thing in the morning, before breakfast. We got up early before anyone had anywhere to go and made that our priority. While I’m not always raring to go at six o’clock, I can admit that it has been good for our family. It not only gets us up and going for all we have to do in a day, but it also helps us get our focus where it needs to be. We are set for success with our eyes focused on Jesus before we do anything else.
Our second family goal was to visit all of the NC State Parks this year. Along with that, Elijah has been working on earning his Expert Jr. Ranger Badge at each one. At this point we have only four more parks to visit, and a plan to get that done in just one more weekend. This was definitely a lofty goal. It has not been easy, and has definitely taken a lot of weekend time. However, I think everyone in our family has grown in their love of the outdoors and spending time together. I am not much for bugs, heat, fishing, or hiking in the rain, but I have endured all of those because I love the family time, and I’m too competitive and stubborn not to accomplish this goal. I am actually looking forward to visiting some of these parks again in the future. We have had a bit of a rush overview of each park, so a more relaxed timetable so we can enjoy more of what each park has to offer.
These goals have helped me with some of my personal goals as well. I have been more consistently in Scripture this year. I have had more personal reading time, not just for a Bible Study prep or lesson. It has been good just to read through Scripture. I know that more careful study should be in my future, but right now it is good just to have an established reading time. I know the infant days can be a difficult time to get time in the Word, so I am trying to establish good reading habits now before I am in that season. I want something manageable and sustainable that can continue with an infant. I have also been able to get outside more and exercise more. Obviously, our park trips have been the biggest source of this outside and exercise time. I can more comfortably walk and hike through various terrain and for greater distances. I have discovered I can endure hotter temperatures for longer durations than I previously thought. I think some of it is thanks to over ten years in North Carolina, where this Buffalo girl has learned to adapt to the warmer temperatures. It is also thanks to my husband, who continually reminds all of us that he works outside all day, and we can handle a few hours outside.
As much as I have accomplished this year, there are also many ways in which I fall short. None of my personal goals have been accomplished exactly as I planned. While I have seen improvement, I am not yet where I wanted to be at this point in the year. I know that there are many areas where I still need great improvement. I am thankful for the reassurance that I do not have to change myself. I am thankful for the reminder, “...that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6b) As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” I know that I am a work in progress. I am reformed and being reformed. Thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, I know that I can continue to progress in holiness and righteousness, as I seek the Lord each day.