Intentional: Doing What’s Uncomfortable

Like a bystander watching a crazy scene unfold, I felt impressed to step in up.  There was drama brewing, with the potential to get ugly.  You may know the type: family drama
One party had valid concerns fueling their reasoning.  Yet the aftertaste of pain that would soon follow seemed to outweigh the concern, in this particular case.  Furthermore, the Christ-like way of life was glaringly absent from those who claimed to be Christ-followers.  The whole scenario was uncomfortable.  
My one word for 2013 is intentional.  That was motivation to step up: I saw the problem and needed to be intentional by addressing it.  No, I was not the instigator nor directly involved.  But even distantly associated, my silence would be an involuntary contribution to the fray.  As a Christ-follower, it was time to be a leader.
First step to being intentional: prayer.  Nothing productive happens when you are unprepared for the situation before you.  I needed wisdom and guidance from above.  My tongue needed words from the Originator of Words.
Second part to being intentional: action.  When I started to address the situation, I was interrupted with the good news that things had changed.  Crisis was averted before I even had to speak.
The epilogue to being intentional: praise.  I knew God’s hand was all over this and would not deny that prayer had made the difference.  
God does care about family drama and works to prevent it.
How have you been intentional recently?  Share your story in the comments below.

(Today, I’m linking up with Where He Leads We Follow, for Inspired Wednesdays)
Where He Leads We Follow

*Update* From ‘Timely Words’ Post

I have an update to this post from a couple weeks back.  I can divulge a few more details.  The trouble brewing around my Hubby that day was work-related.  Management had opted to do another (the third within approximately 14 months) major round of cuts.  While they don’t have the exact number of how many were let go, the guestimation is that it was about two-thirds of the staff. 

That’s. A. Lot!
Thankfully, my Hubby is still employed…for now.  But there are no guarantees.  There was a cryptic follow-up message with a plan for twelve months from now.  Inquiring minds would love to know what exactly that means.  
Yet, we’re at peace.  We’re being intentional in trusting God.  Nothing is guaranteed, even during peaceful times.  It is possible to be filled with peace when we choose to trust God in the midst of uncertainty.
We see God working, giving us glimpses of hope just when we need them.  
For all that life is not, God is.

Timely Words

My Hubby messaged me this morning with a prayer request.  I can’t go into details right now, but there’s trouble brewing around him today.  Focused on my personal theme of “intentional” for this year, I made a few deliberate choices.  I was intentional to not panic and intentionally sought peace instead.

After receiving the text message, I took time to do my daily Bible study.  The last few days have included either chapters or large portions of scripture to read.  Today devotional and scripture was brief.  The reading said to reflect and memorize the following one verse:

The Lord Himself will fight for you.  Just stay calm.  Exodus 14:14 (NLT)
God will fight the battle for you.  And you?  Keep your mouths shut. (MSG)

What?!  Seriously?!

Seriously!!

This portion of Exodus tells of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan.  The Egyptian army has just caught up to them, trapping between the army and the Red Sea.  But God has a plan!  And it doesn’t involve any interaction between both groups.  Rather, the Israelites are instructed to march forward on the path God is about to open before them and to leave the army up to Him.  And boy, does He handle the Egyptian army.

I don’t have any answers.  I have no idea what will happen around my Hubby today.  What I do know is Who is in control and has a plan.  Better than anything I can dream up in my finite, limited thinking.

My goal to live intentionally?  It’s in progress.

2013 in One Word

Intentional.

That’s the ‘one word’ that has stuck with me over the last few months.  Rather than set resolutions for 2013, I’ve chosen to make a revolution. 

Through my personal devotional time, I’ve been learning more about God and His amazing love for me.  One point that resonates within is this: God is intentional in what He does.  My blessings are specific and tailored to me.  The types of trials and temptations I face are also set to needle and refine me into the woman that God needs me to be.

God has a specific plan for my life.  I cannot fulfill His plans if I, in turn, am not intentional with my life.  I must be deliberate in my thoughts and choices.  My actions, my words, my blog posts should be done with intention.

I’m already seeing how 2013 is shaping up to be a wild ride.  My, how one word can fine tune one’s focus.

Have you chosen one word for this year?  Please share your words in the comment section below.