Greetings! I thought I’d dust off this blog on the last day of 2018 as it’s only fitting to “remember, celebrate, and trust” on New Year’s Eve, right? Wishing you and yours a very blessed day, and a fantastic 2019 full of the goodness of the Lord!

As I remember 2018, we had many milestones and reasons to celebrate:  my oldest son graduated from college and began his first full-time job; my middle son attended a study abroad program in England and our family had the opportunity to go to Europe and visit him; my daughter entered her senior year of high school and has been accepted to one of her top-choice colleges; my hubby is thriving at work and yet is still committed to our family and me at home; my photography “hobby” actually generated some income (woo-hoo!); and I had lots of wonderful opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones, too.

And then there were some of the heartbreaks of 2018:  a precious friend facing an unexpected divorce; another (!) cancer diagnosis for a family member who has already fought this battle repeatedly; some health battles for myself and for many others close to me; anxiety and depression seeking to devour the joy; deaths, sicknesses, injustices, misunderstandings — losses in so many different flavors…

So my “word” for 2018 was “contentment” and I’d have to say I didn’t exactly master that one, but I’ve chosen two others to focus on in 2019. It’s always good to set a high goal, right?  And if it first you don’t succeed, double the “to do” list and tackle it again!  🙂

Seriously, the word “intentional” keeps cropping up so I feel that it’s a great goal for this fresh-start year. As one who walks through my house/life and gets so easily distracted by whatever is in front of me — instead of perhaps what is the most important thing that I am supposed to be doing right now — I need to keep this word ever before me. “Focus and finish” is a mantra I often mutter to myself as I veer off the path of intentionality. Part of this is perhaps due to being a “creative” who sees a picture opportunity or something that just “can’t wait,” and part of it is due to the distractions of various other “fun” things like Instagram, Facebook or a phone call that is SO much more desirable than bills, laundry, grading papers, property reconciliations or other work.

For example, here’s a picture of a fox that paused in my backyard to take a bath, giving me some time to grab my camera and take like 30 photos, which I then posted on social media. I literally stopped what I was doing and not only photographed the “fox” spoiling my “vine” of diligent work, but I even took extra time to post it!  Haha! So here’s a visual of NOT being intentional:

And then there’s my other word goal for 2019:  “gratitude.” It kind of dovetails with the contentment idea.  Am I grateful for the people in my life? Am I thankful for even the difficult situations that I am facing, or those of people who are precious to me? As one who pushes herself and judges herself harshly, am I setting that same ridiculous, often unachievable standard for those around me? Or, am I thankful for the people and circumstances around me, giving thanks to God for “everything” — as He commands? Ouch. Just typing that is a course correction for me — gratitude is not a suggestion. 

So I’ll close this out with a “3 by 5” idea for us as we enter the New Year:  pick three measurable goals each day that you will be intentional about and that are realistic to achieve; and close out each day naming five things/people that you are thankful for before you go to sleep. As an added bonus, I challenge you — and myself here, also — to stop the train of discontentment or self-pity in the midst of any given day by pausing to name five things RIGHT NOW for which you are thankful. Let me know how it goes, and I will do the same!

Here’s a Scripture to go along with being intentional and grateful:

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:17

Amen, and a very Happy New Year to you and yours!

Lisa 

Remember. Celebrate. Trust.

P.S. ~ Here are a few of my pictures from Europe with Scriptures added — combining two of my favorite things!