Living Intentionally ~ February

My thoughts are on Living Intentionally this morning. We are taking the day off of school to just enjoy life, living, being alive together!

So with these "thoughts" of Living Intentionally what exactly does that mean to me? After much meditation on it this morning here is what I found:

It is a mission, a mission to live with intent, with purpose, with determination, with a thought out plan, not just living like a chicken with my head cut off, pointlessly and aimlessly. But more specifically here is what it means to me: To live, be awake to the experience of the gift of time, time here on earth as I sojourn this ground, in my daily circumstances with the continual view of eternity in front of me, intentionally, with prupose, with determination, with a thought out plan not to check off a list of to dos to make life happier and more fullfilling but ultimately and much more satisfying... to glorify God, the creator of and giver of living.

Let me tell you about my journey so far in my mission of Living Intentionally in 2008, it has been interesting as God has been near me with His gentle guidance. I am really suprised at how He has been working in my life lately...

1. I want to KNOW God, I want Him to be an extreme reality in my life, in my thoughts and deep in my heart. I want His reality to be with me everywhere, I don't just want to continue to walk through each day with an inconsistent and unrealistic and distorted view on God, I want to walk radically in love and in the knowledge of the One who made the universe and breathed life into Adam and me. This will be conceived through a disciplined and consistent time with Him each morning, I am devoting my early mornings to the Lord... completely giving Him my first hour in each new day to dwell with Him in the word, through prayer and in adoration and praise. My first steps will be taken with Him, this is not negotiable...

My mornings have been less than perfect... they have been rough. My alarm often times found me dead to sound and in a very bad mood. I decided that my first alarm just had a bad attitude and so found a new one. In an attempt to lighten the mood when I wake up I brought in a real alarm that I could set to my own cd, Shannon Wexelberg. What a difference! Instead of a drill sergent in my ear at 5:00 the sweet sounds of an angel fill my mind better preparing me for my quiet time with the Lord.

2. To crucify my fleshly desire to be over my husband and to disrepect him when we disagree or clash in thoughts. To grow with him, to daily find ways to encourage him, support him, show him undivided attention and affection, to love him more than myself and give all of my energy to him.

The Lord has been guiding me to commit to a 30 day husband encouragement challenge but I have been resisting. I have found some self control when responding in a disagreement and especially in the training of our children. I have also handed over the Yard Pass, Amy.

3. Oh to be a fun loving mother! I just want to play with them more... and enjoy them where they are. Set up 1 day each week for me to have some alone time with them seperately.

Mission... in progress. I have found myself on the floor in grossed in a game of memory several times and in a game of monster. Dancing has made a comeback around here too :0).

4. Make it a consistent habit of sending cards to family to let them know that we are thinking of them and that we love them even though we live miles away.

Better! Yes, I have been sending little notes to loved ones but I still have a lot of room for improvement.

5. Set up a childrens bible study for our neighborhood kids at our house every week or every 2 weeks.

It is set up and ready to begin next Monday! The Littles and I just have to walk the neighboorhood and pass out our invitations.

6. Surrender to the Spirit's leading in showing hospitality and being in peoples lives through prayer and daily thoughts and actions.

I am amazed at the way the Lord is leading me in this one. I can feel myself fighting hard against him though because it is going to cause me to step way outside my comfort zone. This is a daily leading that I feel... surrender near, where is my white flag?

7. To prayer for God to lead me in earning a little extra income.

I have been in prayer about this and I believe He has anwsered my pleas. I
now just have to make the moves in the direction He has lead me.

8. Find a daily cleaning and exercise routine that will work for me and my family and to drink more water with my coffee.

I have made the routines! Not to follow through. I have been doing some exercises and can feel the pain! I went for a 25 minute walk/run the other day and it felt so good, I LOVE to run! As for drinking more water.... working on it. I just kind of forget but have been doing better.

I pray that the Lord will continue to be near me as I walk on this mission and that He continues to guide, convict and remind me of my intentions. Visit Extravagant Grace for more on Living Intentionally in 2008!!

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3