Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people. Psalm 84:10 HCSB

The past 6 years I have spent my school years with 9-10 year olds. A lot changes in a child over the course of the year, and I am thankful the Lord saw fit to mold my heart in a way that adores these years with these little people. I can always rest easy at the end of the year knowing that if the Lord taught them half of what He taught me through them…we can call it a success. 

One thing I am reminded of through my 4th graders from year to year is the idea of contentment. I am reminded more than anything that contentment is learned for the most part. As a child, it’s typically not intrinsic. Beyond that I know, too, that 9 year olds are constantly watching my every move. As they watch, they learn more about my character. 

What story does my character tell? Is it a story of contentment?
It’s a punch in the gut EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Brian and I have been blessed beyond measure. We have a home. FILLED with more than enough, and yet I still find myself flipping through home improvement magazines longing for the day things stop breaking and we can finance the fun additions to our cozy home. Sometimes I get lost in the dreams of ‘someday’ or what could be.

It’s in those moments where I lack contentment. I forget how blessed we are. I forget that this is a fun adventure that I am sharing with my favorite person. I forget that our home is a ministry, and that more than cute Pinterest projects, we desire for our home to be a safe haven to our friends when they need a place to just be.

The Lord has an incredible way of redirecting my eyes to the cross. To His story of contentment. To His perfect character FULL of grace…peace…contentment.

It’s in those moments where my ‘wishes of more’ become prayers of contentment. 

HE is enough. 

I love words. I love how much love you can show someone with your words. I love how you can encourage others. I love when my husband leaves notes in my car for me to find on Monday morning, because…Monday. I love the notes my Fourth Graders try to sneak on my desk from “anonymous.”

I also love goals. But, somehow, in spite of my love of goals I have never met a New Years Resolution that I carried out for 365 days. I can rest easy knowing I am in the majority here. So, this year I put my love of words and goals together. Instead of a resolution, I prayed and asked God to give me a word for 2016. A word to fix my eyes on so that I might draw close to Him. This is not a new concept. I have read of many lovely women making this part of their new year.

Intentional. The word the Lord pressed upon my word. The scariest word in some ways. I immediately knew that this could mean a lot of different things for myself. For me, I knew this call to intentionality would affect every aspect of my life.

 Jesus was intentional in every aspect of His life. He set the supreme example. The loveliest for us to follow.

Jesus was intentional in the way He served others. He washed the feet of His disciples. He came to serve.

“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life — a ransom for many.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Jesus was intentional in His purpose. He knew He was the access between humanity and a living, saving God. Jesus was fully aware of the brutal death He would die on behalf of our sins. 

“…yet not my will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NASB

Jesus was intentional in the way He forgave and forgives.  Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus in His limitless grace forgave the one who betrayed Him, and forgives us constantly when we betray Him in different ways. 

Intentional is a large calling and a tall order as I focus on this year. But I serve a gracious God, who sent me Jesus as the most perfect example. 

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” ‭ 1 ‭Peter‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭ESV‬‬