Every year since around 2011 I have chosen a passage or chapter of scripture to claim for the year. I do my best to commit the chapter or portion to memory and really absorb its truth. Some of the earliest sections would be Psalm 1, 2 Corinthians 4, 2 Timothy 2, Colossians 3, 1 Corinthians 13, and Joshua 1. About this point, I would also choose a word. Apparently "Word of the Year" is trendy now. You're welcome. This year, I have chosen two: progress and present. Here's why. P R O G R E S S * Despite all that this year has brought, it remains one of the best years personally. It was not without its difficulties and loss. Far more than anyone knows, but the Lord is SO good. Still, no one has to convince you that #life can be a valley. It can be difficult. Sometimes simply due to expectations we place on ourselves. On a personal level, I often expect perfection from myself. Like it pained my NOT to get 100% in school. I look at something I created and only see its flaws. This happens so often to those in January of the new year. People go into it fully expecting things from themselves that are completely unrealistic. Perhaps they are good goals, but impractical. We aren't going to magically wake up the moment it hits 2021 and all the world's problems be solved. We won't wake up with all our fantasies of being perfect parents, super spiritual, extremely smart, and extra slim and fit upon us. All the resolve in the world can't instantly change us. Yeah, no. First and foremost, you can't change on your own. You need His help. Secondly, it's not going to happen overnight. Most likely, we will wake up the same as the day before. Perhaps with some lofty expectations in mind, but the same person. I love studying nutrition. I have definitely considered going to school to be a nutritionist. ( But then again I also would love to study composition, delve deeper into the realm of photography, or go back to teaching preschool. None of which will probably happen. ;) ) Diets drive me crazy. You watch as the same people go on the same diets or exercise routine repeatedly. Perhaps they lose weight, maybe not, but the next year they're in the same place wanting to lose the same weight again. Because they want to achieve their goals in the quickest way possible, even if it means it's not the healthiest, and it won't stick. While instead they could make a change in their lifestyle and make healthy choices every day, and the continued progress would be undeniable. Another thing I often push is when someone discusses a change they want to make in their life, such as being consistent in their devotions, or changing their attitude, I like to also ask things like, "Now what does that look like in your life?" "What is something you're going to do tomorrow to make that happen?". Because you can't just say, "I'm going to lose 20 pounds in the next month" and then go about your life with no idea of what that would look like, or how to go about that in your life. You must be consistent with tangible, reachable, practical goals. Set yourself up for little victories. Setting achievable goals to reach every day. Meet those goals or try again and set new ones the next day. Burnout comes from expecting to be at the top instantly. Progress comes from making small changes on a moment by moment, day to day basis. The person who gets a gym membership with their entire goal of "Losing 50#" in 2021, odds are, they're not going to last through February. However the same person who makes daily goals and sticks to them is much more likely to stick it out, create new habits, and see that progress in their life. "Drink 8 cups of water" "Eat more fruits and veggies than processed foods for the day" "Cut one sugary drink out today" "Run for 15 minutes" They lead to progress. How does all this connect? Well, instead of setting the expectations for myself out for year, I'm reminding myself to set shorter-term, concrete steps for progress, not perfection. Because I will never be the perfect wife, the perfect daughter, the perfect mom, the perfect YP wife, the perfect Christian. But by God's grace, He's still working on me. He's making me what I ought to be. There is a constant molding and shaping process. P R E S E N T * Be present. Faithful. Consistent. But also, present in the moment. Slow down. Set aside the to-do list (This one works in balance with the one above). Put down the phone. Be present. Be present in *their lives. (*Your children, your spouse, your neighbor, whoever this is in your life.) Be purposeful. Be intentional in making time for them. Listening to them. Playing with them. Engaging in conversation. Making time to help. Initiating the phone call or dinner date. Building that relationship. Sharing the gospel. Be intentional and purposeful to care, listen, and help. Sometimes that is simply looking into your baby's eyes and engaging in play with them just a little longer instead of becoming distracted with all there is to do. This is often the smallest moments, but if you are fully present in every moment, you won't miss those opportunities to invest in other's lives. So, progress and present. There you have it. I still haven't decided on a chapter to carry with me, I may just run with both.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
|