Intentional

Today I have been thinking about what it means to be intentional. Especially, what it means to be intentional with those you love. Many of the goals I have made this year focus on being intentional with my time. My goals for the year included reading more, writing letters to those that have impacted my life, and spending more time in the Word. I tried to be specific so I could accomplish my goals. I have tried to be intentional in those goals, but I also need to be intentional in the “how” I am living.   

This year has been a different sort of year. I’m not exactly sure why, but it has been different. I suppose it has to do with the life events that have taken place this year. Early this year, a young member of our extended family died from cancer, at only three years old. It was the first funeral I had been to for a young child. It was very hard to see… such a young life, such a short life. Then just a week later, we attended another funeral. This weekend, I heard about a young person (a family that my parents know) that was in a fatal accident. This person was younger than me. I look around me and I keep thinking, “Am I living intentionally?” I want to live intentionally, I want to live in the moment and make the most of my time.

I feel very reflective today. Looking at what I have done with the short years that I have been on earth and what I may yet do with the hours, days, and years to come, Lord willing. None of us know how much time we have left here on earth. None of know when God will call us home. Will we be ready? When we come to those finally moments, or when others look back on our lives, will we have made an impact for eternity?

While I have many goals for this year, I want to make sure that I live intentionally, that I do make the most of my time, and that I spend quality time with those I love. The only true and lasting legacy that we will someday leave behind will be the impact that we make on the Kingdom. As we look forward, let us live intentionally, making the most of each moment, finding joy in every circumstance. Let’s live for the Kingdom!

The Art of Letter Writing

The Art of Letter Writing 

Recently, I took up this challenge of letter writing. (You can read more about it in my last blog post about reversed Lent). My goal during Lent, and for the year of 2015, is to write 50 cards/letters to people (and actually send them). I am using Lent as my jump start, but the real goal is to have 50 sent by the end of the year.  

I feel that letter writing is a dying art form. I have read many books from past ages where letter writing was what got people through the hard times. During wars, sickness, and trials, the letters were what helped keep people going. Letters shared joyous announcements, deep sorrow, and day-to-day life. It may have been one of their only forms of communication, but it was effective. They left a legacy.  Those letters were handed down to the next generation and they told a story, they told real life. 

When I decided to do this challenge, I thought it would be easy. Just write a note with a few lines of encouragement and send it off. Then I started doing it... It is harder than I thought! The words I have written have all been true, but I find it hard sharing how much I appreciate the people in my life and to tell them how much they mean to me. I am blessed by so many people in my life that encourage me. When I go to write to them, I cannot express my feelings of how much of a blessing they are to me. While it is not as easy of a task as I first thought, I am finding joy in the process. It is stretching me to write these letters and notes. 

In the past week, I have been to two funerals. One for a child, who had lived a short life, but who had touched the lives of those around her, even those who did not know her well. The other funeral was for a man that had lived a good, long life, a full life. He was a blessing to those around him and was an influence for Christ. Both celebrations of life reminded me of just how short life is, whether I only have a few years or many, I want to live my life to the fullest and be a witness for Christ. I want to build up other believers. And I pray that my simple, yet heartfelt letters, will do just that. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Post on Reversed Lent:

http://musingsmadebymandy.blogspot.com/2015/02/lent-2015-reversed-style.html?m=1