Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Dear Intended

I'm reading a book that feels like chapters pulled out of my own life.  Not my past, but my current everyday life.  Aren't those the best reads?  I'm enjoying seeing the layers of myself through Kristin Armstrong's book - Mile Marker's: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom of three or the managing partner of a law firm, there are some things that we all have in common. 

One of the many commonalities that Kristin and I share is the need to practice being intentional.  Intention is the proscratinators answer to the 'shoulda, woulda, couldas.'  Intention creates that road block in time that prevents us from putting off our passions and purposes for a better day.  Maybe you've said:

"Why didn't I just say..." 

"As soon as they ______ I'm going to..."

"I was going to workout, but. . ."

I'm guilty.  I occassionally put things off or hold my "yes" or "no" to make the conservation easier.  I sometimes hold onto my opinion or thought just in case. I'm not trying to be polite, I do it to be accommodating.  I can almost picture the little construction men in my head erecting the "Detour Ahead" sign.  I understand now that I will never completely fulfill God's purposes for my life if I keep relenting and ignoring the intents of my heart.  I have to set my intentions and realize the freedom I have in doing so.

Setting an intention makes us more purposeful about everything we do. It opens up a place in us that we are sometimes too afraid to see. It should cause us to move forward by faith; in spite of what we see or what they say.  Afterall, "faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." (Hebrews 11:1, NLT) Therefore, our intentions should mobilize us with faith guiding our way.

For me this means the detour signs that I erected in mid-sentence (or act) are being stored away for when I need them - detours only! I want my life to be purpose-FULL. I want my relationships to be rich and have clarity. No more holding my breath, but inhaling and exhaling with freedom.

I will set an intention before I . . .
  • have a conversation that may require a decision
  • workout
  • state my opinion
  • say "yes" or "no"
  • cook or eat
  • shop

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