Another year has come to a close. A year of unimaginable loss. A year of new life. A year of adjustments. A year of sacrifice. A year of collected moments.
When you experience life and death, you begin to realize the fragility of these days and years. As I watch my newborn baby turn more into toddler than baby, I see the days slipping by and realize that time is a thief, and as I remember my sweet mother-in-law, grandfather, and my husband’s grandmother, I am reminded to seize the day… we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
We are not guaranteed today… only this moment… and this one… and this one.
What am I going to do with this collection of moments I’ve been gifted? Am I going to live them to the fullest? Will I embrace the chaos, the love, the good, the bad, the ugly? Will I allow my heart to swell with the grace that has been shown to me and in turn show grace to those around me? Will I put down my distractions and embrace the beauty before my eyes? Will I be more present, more joyful, more intentional?
Intentionality.
That is my mantra for this new year…. Intentionality. I will be more intentional in my personal habits. I will be more intentional in the habits we are forming as a family. I will be more intentional in letting go of “what I want” and embracing what I’ve been given. I will be more intentional with my health: spiritually, physically, and mentally. I will be more intentional with my time, with my money, with my talents. I will prioritize my life in a way that only what is true, noble, right, lovely, excellent and praiseworthy are at the forefront of my thoughts and actions.
I will live in today. In THIS moment.
I will read a good book. I will snuggle my children. I will go on dates with my husband. I will pray more fervently. I will not allow that chaos of raising young children to steal my joy. I will laugh more, love more, sing more.
None of this is easy. Intentionality is not easy. There will be days that I will forget. There will be days that I get caught up in meaningless tasks and forget to love above all. There will be seasons that laughter and thankfulness won’t come easily.
But I will intentionally STRIVE for these things. I will seek God. I will allow his grace to fill me when I make mistakes. I will forgive others. I will forgive myself.
I will live 2019 intentionally. I will be a moments collector. I will live life as it was meant to be lived… with purpose.
What a great word!
Thank you Greta. Hope you have a wonderful new year!