Intention vs Intentional

I think I'm going to do it this year...the dreaded New Year's Resolutions.

It's not so much about the New Year as it is where I'm at. My baby is 6 months old, it's time to   stop pretending my body will magically go back to the way I hope it to be and actually do something about it. 

We're just about half way through our first year of homeschooling. It's going great! I love it...but could I be doing a better job of adding to the school day?

We have a lot of things we'd like to do or purchase this year...things we need, things we want...things we probably should just forget about. 

Of course I could go on about the DIY projects I'd like to do, decorating my room, organizing closets and toys, sewing more, baking more cakes, run a 5k, bike more, spend more time in quiet, be a better wife, be a better mom...the list of things I'd love to do is never ending. 

That's where I have to think about good intentions versus being intentional. I could make a list of at least 20 resolutions for the year. All of them made with the best intentions. The intentions of being the person I dream of being with time left over at the end of the day. In my years I've learned about having the "best intentions", sometimes it isn't enough...in fact, most of the time it isn't enough. Myself or someone else is upset because the best intentions usually means you didn't follow through...at least not all the way. 

So, my New Year's resolution is to be more intentional. I'm leaving the best intentions behind. I don't have to wake up and remind myself of all the things I want to do...I want to do them...I don't forget about something I enjoy! I also don't have to wake up and remind myself of where I've failed...I've failed! It stares me in the face...or the belly, hips and thighs...or right in my eyes in disappointment of others. 

If I'm intentional with my prayer, my time and my choices...the rest will follow. 

So, this year I'm choosing to be intentional, intentional about the shows I watch, the way I discipline my kids, they way I love my kids, the way I teach my kids. I'm going to be intentional about the shows I watch, the way I use MY time and the decisions I make each day.  I'm going to be intentional about they way I treat my husband. I'm going to be intentional with my money.


I'm hoping to remember 2012 as the year I gave up on good intentions, trusted in the Lord more and became intentional about living my life!