New Year, One Word

When someone asks me about my New Years resolutions, I cringe.  Hemming & hawing, I half heartedly come up with the typical ones. Lose weight, eat healthier, wake up early & have quiet time, spend more time with my boys, blah blah blah.

One morning in late December I was reading a devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries.  As I read it, I felt like it was written specifically for me.  Did this lady know me & how I work? It felt like I could have written this devotional.  (Looking Around)

"the crux of my problem was waiting for everything to be perfect before I moved forward. If I didn't feel I could do something "right," I often didn't do it at all. If I couldn't control each move, or the outcome, I waited rather than began. And that meant a lot of things sat either un-started or unfinished."

When I was done reading the devotional, I scrolled down to learn more about the author.  I came across this:

Lose the long list of resolutions — all your sweeping promises to change — and do something about one thing this year instead of nothing about everything. In Rachel Olsen's newest book, My One Word, she and co-author Mike Ashcroft lead you in choosing just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year.

I had stopped making resolutions because I did just that - "nothing about everything".  There were many un-started or unfinished projects because I was waiting for things to be perfect. I lack confidence in my ability to do things & do them well, and many times I refuse to do or try anything. I (unwisely) measure myself against others (friendships, motherhood, personality, etc) and fall short every time. I focus on my weaknesses and not my strengths. This results in a lot of wasted time.

Inspired by picking one word instead of making resolutions, I went to the My One Word website & read the three steps to choosing one word.  I spent a few weeks thinking over the devotional & what my one word could be. Mostly, I prayed for God to search me & know me, to show me what I needed to focus on this year. 

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts" 

 Psalm 139:23

The word that God has put upon my heart is INTENTIONAL.  Intentional means done with intention. Intention means a determination to act in a certain way. I pray that God will teach me to find and acknowledge my strengths, to use them for His glory.  A prayer I have had for many years, that has yet to be completely answered, is to think before I speak! Many times when I am uncomfortable in a situation I just start rambling.  I want to be intentional in my speech, my thoughts, my actions. Live a life that is intentional(ly) pleasing to God in all areas.

In addition to picking a word, I also picked a verse to go with the word intentional.

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress"

1 Timothy 4:15

As I end this post, I leave you with a question:

What is your one word for this year? 

I would love for you to comment and tell me your one word!