intentional

Today was one of those days that makes you stop in your tracks and think, "Something has got to give." The day wasn't even over-the-top crazy, but every moment was filled, some overflowing -- teaching math...counseling a college kid on scheduling and finances...shredding cheese...another call coming in on the cell phone from another college kid, he just wants to talk...where is that recipe?...

...all happening at once, like a B-52 bomber dropping its load on my head.

You get the picture...a Calgon moment.

Besides the demands of my own little family in this chaotic world, my mother and Doug's parents are into their 70s and having their own medical issues, and the pressure of being between generations is starting to happen more and more often. There are days when I sit down at night and realize that I did not one thing all day that was truly my choice. Honestly I don't mind that at all, I like doing for others, but I prefer to do things with intention, to feel like I am living the moment and not just surviving.

I have never chosen a "word for the year," but this year I have, in fact just today the word came into focus. Through all the medical mysteries I have going on, through the relationships I have with family and friends, through the changes life is bringing, I want to remember one word:

intentional

It's a popular word and you know how I detest popularity, but it is the word God has shown me. He knows better than I what is good, what will make me better, patient, happy. 

To me, it means:

End multi-tasking 

 Screens have a time and place not all time and any place 

 Productive rather than passive 

 Pray, pray, pray

Brew tea

 A smaller circle of love 

 Focus, focus, focus 

 Turn toward the good and disregard the negative 

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8