Last year I chose “Rooted” as my word for the year, and I can see how my roots ran deeper and wider into His love and grace last year. I am grateful for the things I learned in 2012, even when I fell flat on my face in mistakes and fear. For a people pleaser like me, blogging, which often requires likeability, is not an easy task. I have learned that some people’s God-given gifts resonant more deeply with some than others, and that’s okay, and instead of cringing every time I made a mistake, I leaned into Him. I let Him speak over me. He nourished me and my roots grew deeper into His love.
At the close of the year, I found myself making some mistakes that I regretted, and I really wanted to change. I want to see with my eyes the things that I desire: a mission trip, better friendships, more time with my family, a published book. Those things will not change if I do not make changes, if I don’t act with intention. For the past few years, I’ve learned to live flying by the seat of my pants. I write a post and post it on the same day, or I get a birthday present hours before the party. Those things can cause me stress because of my poor planning. Despite the fact that I have learned to live as life comes at me, I felt like God was speaking personally to me when a friend said, “God is a God of order.” So a month ago, I felt God leading me to the word
Intention
for my word of 2013. Change/intention – they are lumped together for me.
My word 2013: Intention
Granted, I have not learned to be intentional overnight. I am still writing this post the day before you are reading it. 🙂 But I bought my handy-dandy planner, and I’ve made a list of areas where I want to be more intentional, and I can see where intentionality is important and peaceful. When I looked up intention in the dictionary, this is what it said,
1. A course of action that one intends to follow.2.a. An aim that guides action; an objective.b. intentions Purpose with respect to marriage: honorable intentions.3. Medicine The process by which or the manner in which a wound heals.4. Archaic Import; meaning.
Who would have thought that making a plan in the areas where I want to see change may bring me healing? God as healer was deeply personal to me last year, and I believe He is still in the midst of healing me.
So for this blog, that means I need to be intentional to post things that fall under the purpose of this blog, and you know what I want you to leave here with? A hug from God! I am sure I will post some things that are not as hug worthy, but this blog is intended to be a place of encouragement. I am saying this for my own self: I am not Rachel Held Evans, and that’s okay. My blog is not meant to address controversies, and I doubt I will ever be cutting edge. It also means that I will be focusing more on in real life relationships, and I really really really want to get to know you more too, so I will attempt to be more engaging. Each one of you are really valuable and I consider you a treasure to me. Because my focus is more on people I cannot say if I will be posting more or less on here. I can say that it is my goal to be more intentional here. 🙂 One feature I do intend to add as way of encouragement is to pray for those who feel like they are in the dark. You will hear more about this later.
Overall, I’m 35, and I’m still trying to find me. I created the 2013 Bible Reading Plan to see if I really am a bible teacher. So on Fridays, I’ll post background information and things I’m learning as I read.
As long as I can find the time, I will post updates on how acting with intention is going and if I am being changed. The first area I hope to address is my home.
I suspect that as I plan, God may change the plan. That’s risky, but I think I need a little risk, a little change, a lot more life. I’m hungry for more. So Intention it is!
Jamie,
Being 29, we are actually in the same spot in our life. I haven’t chosen a word for 2013, but I have things I will be doing differently this year and that’s being more ‘intentional’. So, we’re definitely in the same place and I hope we can encourage each other on our journey this year.
Looking forward to what God does through and in your life this year, Jamie.
God bless you tremendously!
xoxox,
Julie
When Carolyn was about 4 months old, I started reading one of those “how to train your baby” books and the theme was based on how to avoid “accidental parenting” – you know, just doing things because it is the easy way to do it right then, not really thinking about what the consequences or precedents that it was setting. I immediately applied that phrase to my life – not just in parenting, but it all areas. AND when I say apply, I don’t mean to infer that I fixed all the ways that I was “accidentally (or unintentionally) living” but it made me and continues to make me keenly aware of when I’m not being purposeful (which unfortunately, is most of the time). It really does take a plan to be purposeful and deliberate and intentional.
The question that I’ve been having this week for myself is this: how can I be purposeful/deliberate in my life without being rigid? What do I need to be rigid about and where do I need to allow space for the spontaneity of God’s work to move in my life. I can’t even imagine what that type of balance looks like . . . it’s like trying to make a Type-B personality function as a Type-A personality and they actually enjoy it!! 🙂
It is neat that we are thinking similar things – we’ll have to chat regularly about it!
I, too, look forward to reading about how God is working in your life in this way! Be sure to ask me, too (I could use the accountability!!)
Carrie
Jamie, I am looking forward to following your reading plan with you and experiencing the Scriptures together. My word for 2013 is Expectations – yes, that I will enter the year expectantly, but more importantly, that I will focus on God’s expectations and not mine. Like you, I am looking forward to finding out what God has to teach me about my new “word” in the coming year – and hearing what God has to say through you about yours!
Can’t wait to see what Intention will bring to your life this year. Praying for the ways it will unfold.
Having fun stopping by from the OneWord linkups. My word is Stand.
I’ve been striving to live more intentionally over the past few years and finally learned that my intentions only work when they are accompanied by His grace. Intention on it’s own can lead to perfectionism and can make life a big to-do list. But when we live where our intentions meet His grace, our intentions become a means of stewardship, and His grace beautifully covers our flaws and His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.
Wishing you a beautiful, intention, and grace-filled New Year my friend!
My 2012 word was INTENTIONAL:)) Can’t wait to read about and see this word develop for you this year. My word for 2013 is PRAYER…
Happy New Year!!
Great word! My word for 2012 was intentional and I loved it! My word this year is heart, I want a heart that mirrors God’s.
Jenifer
jenifermetzger.org
Well I think that is a great word!!! I have been trying to be more intentional over the end of last year, although that was not my word. My therapist helped me to make a schedule to be more intentional about how I spend my time. I also made a schedule to make so many blog posts a week, to keep me on track. Then I have also started practicing mindfulness, just doing what I can in the moment, and not stressing over what I can’t do.