It never fails... when Chris and I are meeting with couples getting married (or anyone else I ever meet with for that matter), every answer we arrive at no matter what the issue or problem always comes back down to having a relationship with God. The more you know Him, the better you are. Period. Want to be a better mother? Know Him more. Want to have a better marriage? Know Him more. Need direction and purpose for your future? Know Him more. Need to be healthier? Know Him more. Need things to change in any other areas of your life? Know Him more. It seems like the Sunday School answer to say, but if we can get that right, every area of our life will improve and flourish. There is a reason the Bible says to "seek first the kingdom of God" so that the other things we're spending our time focusing/worrying on will be added to us. If we stay connected to the vine (Jesus) and know what kind of tree we are (identity), we will consequently bear the right fruit at the right time, causing us to be healthy and flourishing little trees!
That being said, I think it is still good to sit down and evaluate where you are now and where you want to be in the new year. Not necessarily making a list of unrealistic things you will abandon, but looking ahead with eyes of faith and believing God to get you somewhere this year. As you focus on your One Thing, seeing things about your life improve as a result of that. You should do it for yourself, for your marriage if you're married, and for your family. We like to take time so sit down and talk together about what we would like to accomplish and set goals for our family, parenting, finances, and relationships. The truth of the matter is that this year you will certainly be moving in a direction. If you are intentional and seek God with your whole heart, you will move forward. If you do nothing, expect nothing, not care, or want to just stay the same you will still move, but you will not go in a direction you want to move in. We never just stay the same- we are always one step better or one step worse. So I want to stir your faith and expectations for 2009. To be honest, there are things coming my way to distract and even discourage us to look to the new year. I have been tempted to be down and feel defeated, and have had my moments, but I refuse to let my hope diminish even though my circumstances in certain areas are not looking very favorable. With God, all things are possible!
Sooo, that brings me to the top ten today. This is an interactive top ten. Maybe you didn't post Christmas pictures like I asked, maybe you don't give feedback or comment like I ask, but if I could ask you to do anything I am asking you to do this. I want us to all think about things we're believing God for and share some of them so we can all be believing God together for each other. I want you to celebrate the areas you've seen improvement in and think about some things you'd like to see God do in you this new year. You don't have to get too personal or anything, but I would really like to see us stick our faith out there by voicing some of those things in our hearts and then celebrating together when God brings those things to pass. Another good thing about sharing some things is that we become accountable to each other so when life starts to get in the way of what we felt strongly in our hearts we needed to do we have each other to help stay on track. I know I need that in my own life. That's what I made this blog for- to help us stay connected, especially when we're not meeting. So even if it's just one thing (besides your One Thing), put it out there!
Some things I'm believing God for in 2009:
- To finally get rid of our debt. (have been working on this forever, we're believing this is our year to put it behind us for good and never get there again)
- To write music (also a long time coming/prophesied, but this is my now time!)
- To have more structure and organization in our home (praise God this is already better, but I want it even better!)
- To be more intentional about discipling my children in the Kingdom ( no, I did not say discipline, but isn't it interesting how close those words are...safe to say it takes a lot of discipline to be a good disciple??)
- To have the most amazing marriage on the planet. (I already do, but if we don't work even more, it will not stay the most amazing marriage on the planet)
- To be better at maintaining relationships
- To be better about documenting our life (cause I'm already forgetting what I don't want to forget)
- To have 15 hours of Pilates (to help with the goal of #1, and also to help more people change their life for the better)
- To have a potty trained toddler (this might take more faith than most of the list, but also the closest to coming true! - hey you need at least one that will happen quickly, right?)
- To expand and indulge in my love of the arts more. That includes learning to sew (umm Jenna), do more writing, actually scrapbooking, and many more crafty artsy things. It's who I am, and when I remove that part of me because I don't have time or feel it's not important, I am less of me. Partly the reason I feel #2 is having a hard time. To write music, you actually need to write. Got really sad/ bewildered the other day when I came across multiple journals of poetry and life from years ago. Who is that? Just because I am a mother, wife, and almost 30 does not mean this part of me should cease to exist. In fact I will be better at those things when I am fully alive and connected to who God made me to be, and to carve time out for me to do it. (quite a tangent, but I felt like someone else needed permission to do that, too.)
(Not really a list-making goal, but we are possibly looking to add to our family by the end of next year. No, I'm not pregnant. No, I won't be for a while. As in, a year from now I might be pregnant.)
I'll be honest- even writing some of those things out I felt a little fear and doubt creep in. Like a little bit of yeah, you wish. But if I can't believe that God can make all things new then what can I believe in? I love you guys. My life has been better this year in part because of you. What are you believing for 2009??
Much love,
Kacee
Even though I missed the sermon on Sunday, I get the concept "One Thing". Relationship with Jesus IS everything.
ReplyDeleteThis year, I will most definentaly focus on that relationship above all else; for it is truly the only way to live a full life. God provides the way, but we have to "choose life". 2008 was a year of restoration and change in my life. Now in 2009, I hope to give out, what I am full of, in a greater way. For God gives , only that we may give out. I don't want the river to become stagnant.
I have learned (not perfected yet) to look at the good! Find the good in people, in my marriage, in my children, in my circumstances (even the toughest ones) etc. When I look and dwell on the good, life is more joyful and exciting. There will always be struggles and tough circumstances in our lives, but if we look for the good in the midst of it, we will find it. Try it!!
I desire to be more thankful and dwell on my blessings and what I have, above the stuggles and what I don't have. Wow! Perspective is everything really!
Besides the usual things like losing more weight, getting better organized. etc. I look forward to 2009, to gain better understanding of God's purpose in my life and make steps forward. It's all or nothin'!
I look forward to walking out life with you ladies. I love you all dearly!