As I finish up this school year with my littles, (and prepare to continue their lessons throughout the Summer, so that we are ready to begin the school year well), I am reflecting on this past school year, and the many travels and lessons that we have had together.
We began the school year in El Salvador, finished our first term in Canada, completed our second term in Uganda, began our third term in Canada, and are finishing up back in El Salvador. We have learnt and grown in each subject and grade, and as a family, and individually. I especially enjoy the lessons learnt through experience, as we travel, and as we live in different cultures and contexts – but, as much as I love teachable moments, and life lessons, and I love teaching God’s Word and the practical lessons of growing in character, I am otherwise, not a very good teacher, and very easily fall behind –especially in recording our learning (which is required for being Distributed Learner’s through my home province).
And, on that note, God has been teaching me and pushing me to be intentional – it is a word that keeps coming back to my mind, and that I have been looking at for the past 3 months or so, but have to keep on intentionally reminding myself of – realizing that one of my many weaknesses is procrastination, and that if I am not intentional about any given thing, it will simply not happen (or not happen well). I know that we each have our own struggles, but from what I have observed with those around me, this struggle is not unique to me, so, I thought I would share some of my thoughts, in hopes that it may encourage you to be intentional too J
BEING INTENTIONAL
(Deliberate, planned, premeditated, calculated, purposeful, a conscious decision)
If we are not intentional, then time passes by, and we never do what we know is best. We may be doing ok, and may even being doing some good (works), but time passes quickly, and without being intentional, it is impossible to be fully obedientand fruitful.
We have to be intentional in every area of life, for example:
· Devotion to God, praise, worship, Bible reading, and study
Marriage – relationship/friendship, intimacy, communication, conversation, quality time, dating, growing, encouraging, connecting
Parenting – discipline, discipleship, training, encouraging, conversation, teaching, quality time (each child is different – love languages, learning styles, strength and weakness)
Family time – (scheduled) quality time, Bible reading, worship, games, outdoor activity, swimming, biking, eating and having conversations together at table (intentionally asking children how they are, what they are learning, how they are growing, how they are struggling, getting to knowthem).
· In education – lesson planning, teaching, learning, recording, reporting, etc.
· In any relationship: discipleship, bible study, friendships
· In ministry – policy making, training prep, schedule, roles, and responsibilities
Time flies, and if we are not intentional, then our relationships, and the fruit in and of our lives will suffer.
Philipians 1:9-11 in the amplified version (bold and underlined added by me) says:
"And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment],
So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].
May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God that His glory may be both manifested and recognized]."