Intentionality

I'm afraid to even start again, but here goes.  I've been wanting to write, or at least practice writing, for a while, but I never take the time.  I am an A-1 procrastinator, but I do it with style.  There is always work to be done, and I justify my lack of attention to writing with the lie that it isn't as important as working.  Perhaps today is the start of something new--or perhaps not.  I guess time will tell whether my intentions or my rut will win. 

I was surprised this morning as I listened to "Revive Our Hearts," a radio program taught by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She is teaching about encouragement and how important it is to be an encourager when I realized that, although I know this, I had completely forgotten that encouraging others should be a priority in my life.  As I thought about this I was shocked at how far I'd strayed from being intentional about many things.  It seems that life just keeps churning and, if I'm not careful--which I haven't been--time goes by, and I've left so many important things undone.  How did I get here?  I don't even know.  The urgent outstrips the important.  I learned many years ago that I am not a good multitasker when it comes to big things.  I can only focus on one priority at a time.  I started working a lot more this year, and maybe that is what happened to my intentionality. 

My goal is to focus on the important things in life: God, relationships, encouragement, thankfulness.  I've decided to make a list.  I've done some brainstorming and have come up with some things, but I'm still working on it.  Now I need to remember to look at that list and to actually plan ways to follow through.  I'm hoping that by writing some more here I will be more accountable to it.

 Life goes by so quickly, and I don't want to look back regretting that I did nothing but cook, clean, wash, and drive.  Another goal is to not forget about this in a month and go back to the way things are because that's easier.  I need help!  I'm praying for God's direction and for focus, and I'm going to try to write twice a week.  We'll see.....