This morning in prayer...

"Intentional"

I had an email from our youth pastor recently that expressed his desire for us to become more intentional in our ministries. Today during my almost quiet time, this word revisited me. How many times do I react? In parenting, in ministry, in my day to day life. Just do what needs done, or what we can get by with. How often do I stop and listen for God's words, his advice, his direction. How often do I make choices based on what will get me through the day, through the moment, what will get people off my back, or make people think I'm doing what I should be doing. Is this intentional? Is this what God wants from me?

Stop, Marci. Listen. Commitment without intention is just an open door to bitterness, complaining, and being a negative influence on those around you. Parenting without intention is just an open door for yelling, anger, resentment, selfishness, and regret. If I can consciously choose to see joy in the ordinary I can consciously choose to live with intention.

Today I have parented intentionally. Have my children thanked me and ravished me with kisses and hugs? No, but they have seen that I'm sticking to my guns without raising my voice, or being knocked off course. They are seeing that I'm here with them because it is my choice to be here with them each day. Can I do this everyday? I think I can, only if I remember to stop and make the choice, stop and listen to His voice. Will it be very easy to fall back into getting by? Absolutely. Have I become intentional in my housekeeping? Umm...well, that may take a lot more time, I didn't choose to stay home for that!

The email that planted this word within me was about our youth, whom I love. Funny thing is it crept into my quiet time in a very different way, in a way that may lead me from making commitments where he hoped we would because I don't want to break promises or let people down. Even if the message may not have gotten to me the way the sender intended it was meant for my eyes and my heart.

Lord, let me stop each day and make my steps intentional.