2017 is nearly a week old and I am already finding my word for the year is challenging me.
For the past few years I have chosen a word or phrase.
2014 was Pieces - my life felt like it falled apart.
2015 was Reckless Abandon - We started the year by leaving a church we cared deeply about and I ended the year by leaving my job due to my second pregnancy with no idea how we would manage as a one income family.
2016 was Exhale - I have felt deeply the loss of relationships I once thought were solid, experienced the loss of not one, but two of our pups and found that I needed to let go of much more than I realized
For 2017, I found myself wondering whether I wanted to go down this path of one word yet again, but God kept bringing the word Intentional to my attention.
Now I should probably mention that our family has spent the last 3 1/2 years working to be more intentional about many things.
Resources...
Finances...
Time...
Even our Trash...
Just last fall I invested in an amazing new planner to help me plan my year, month, week, day and even hour more effectively.
Not even a full week into the year and I am already learning that intentional is not just about the planner.
Starting the new year I determined I would begin to walk our dog several times a week.
I would implement a schedule for housework.
I would plan out the time that I would spend on church work, school work and personal time.
It looks great on paper.
Tuesday started out good! I implemented my plan. The dog took a walk, the housework was tackled, I was on a roll!
Wednesday went well, I got a good handle on some school work, housework was tackled and the dog had his walk.
Then Thursday hit.
I'm not sure what felt off about Thursday, but I struggled. It was hard to get off the couch and move. I didn't want to leave the house and to be honest, the new LuLaRoe outfit I wanted to put on was the only thing that motivated me to get out of the house.
I made my way to Starbucks to study and as I arrived I had a realization....
Intentional is not just a list of things to accomplish.
Sometimes Intentional is looking at that To-Do List and recognizing that of all the things I need to accomplish today these two things are the most important and just getting them done is a win.
Intentional is evaluating every day what is important, what is urgent and what can move and flex.
I am realizing that my Word for the Year can be something I try to force into my life...
Or it can be a focus Word that allows God to guide my steps through the year.
My word becomes a learning opportunity.
It becomes a way to really focus and listen to what God wants to speak into an area of my life.
