This time of year comes front-loaded with a push to makechanges. Are you one who makes resolutions? I like the idea of it but gave up years ago. We all, however, constantly grow and change. It turns out adulting is nowhere near as static a thing as I thought when I was younger.

 My Pastor suffered for a long time with Dupuytren’s contracture in his right hand. Though he tends to talk with his hands, the contracture went unnoticed by me until he mentioned it. After that, I watched his hands constantly.

At the end of 2022, Pastor Guy endured a procedure to treat the contracture and achieve some relief. One Sunday after the procedure, he showed up with a healing and still bandaged hand. Already he could make his hand almost flat. I didn’t ask when he could flatten his hand last, but his evident excitement made me smile.

Weeks passed and he preached yesterday, as is typical for a Sunday. Once again, my eyes focused on his hands. What I noticed surprised me. A lot of the time, he held his right hand the same way he had before the procedure. I am unaware of where he stands in treatment but recognizing the old movement pattern caused me to consider something.

Making clear change requires work. Simply addressing the problem won’t cut it most of the time. Applying a diet, some education, or redirection may successfully begin the process. The problem will hang around until we retrain what comes naturally.

Pastor Guy held his hand in a specific position so long that his hand naturally makes that shape. Does that mean the procedure did not work and he should give up? No, it does not. It means his healing process continues.

As you consider changes you might like to make this year, think beyond simply addressing the problem. Consider setting multiple small goals that lead one step at a time to the change you desire.