in·ten·tion
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1.a thing intended; an aim or plan.“she was full of good intentions”
What do you think of when you see or hear the word “intention?” I have a confession to make….for most of my life I think this word has just made me feel….bad. I usually immediately think of cards I intended to write or calls I intended to make, Christmas shopping I intended to do early or some other such thing I intended to do…
Well, I’ve decided to make friends with this lovely little word, and I’ll tell you why. Rather than intending to do more….I’d much rather focus on becoming more. It’s much more forgiving, don’t you think? And all of our “doing” springs from who we are becoming anyway, so it’s a simple little circle, really.
For example, it was my intention to stay a day ahead in writing this blog so I wouldn’t be staring at a blinking cursor at the end of a long day, wondering what in heaven’s name I could possibly find to say that would be of any value when really I should be kinda proud of myself for following through with a vision I truly believe God gave me for reasons only He fully understands. I’ve gotta say….that feels much better. =) So, go ahead….think of your own thing that seems hard, but you know it’s helping you grow, so you’re following your heart….now wrap yourself up in a big hug and say, “I’m proud of you! Don’t give up….look how far you’ve come…”
There are so many, many things that life can throw at us to deter us from becoming who God dreams for us. Our plans get interrupted….our hearts get broken….we get discouraged and lose sight of the power of faith, and of….intention!
So, as we move toward the cross in the coming days, I say we celebrate who we are becoming….flaws and all. God sees things in each of us we just never see in ourselves….wonderful, powerful and beautiful things, if only we will trust Him in the process. In faith, we truly are stronger than we know!
This song by Kutless speaks to the times I fear things will never be or feel right again, that healing will only go so far, then I’ll be on my own to muddle through the rest of life….it reminds me that I have a choice, though I don’t have to do anything but lean into God’s love – that all consuming love that gives me courage to believe and allow my faith to be bigger than my fear!
With the best of intentions,
Shellie <3
What Faith Can Do
Kutless
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes
And make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger
Stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason
For someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
Overcome the odds
You don’t have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That’s what faith can do
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise
Thanks for being faithful in writing these posts. I look forward to them every day. You are part of my devotional time, and there is always something in them for me to ponder and be spiritually refreshed.