Yesterday, I was given the opportunity to share my heart at a local MOPS group. It was wonderful being in this room, full of moms eager to sit in fellowship with each, and to talk a bit about my story and to offer words of encouragement. These moms were there, in it together, ready to learn and to embrace each other in their motherhood journey.
I shared with them ten simple things to make your day more fun {don’t worry, I’m writing it up into a post} and the main item, besides not comparing, was to learn to step back and be intentional. I know, I know, intentional. It’s kind of a buzz word, and yet, I truly do believe it is a critical word for us mothers to embrace. You see, intentional isn’t trendy, it’s actually truth.
When you live with an intentional heart you cultivate memory moments within your home.
Intentionality is this stepping back, this opening of our hearts that allows us to embrace the present, learn from the past, and plan for the future. It’s easy to race through life either defining today based on years past or looking so much to the future that we miss the gift of today or being so focused on the now that we don’t remember to celebrate the gift of normal.
Motherhood is about balancing grace and about learning to be intentional with our days. Because, lets face it – we all have those harder days. We have those feeling like we failed days, and not feeling like we measure up , and days where we wish we could throw in the un-throwable {because it’s probably in the wash} towel of motherhood. And that’s okay. But, even with those days, we can learn to be intentional. It just takes planning it on the good days. So if today’s a hard day – do one thing and believe me when I tell you that you matter. If today’s one of those days that seems to be going okay, then step back, just for a moment, and think about what is making today work. Be intentional and thoughtful with your time.
So now, my question for you, which I asked from those wonderful moms sitting in the room early on a Monday morning, is what can you do today to be more intentional? I ask you this as an encouragement, as a motivation to do that one thing and do it well. So right now, as you sit there, think of three things that you can do to be more intentional. Maybe it’s reading that book three times in a row. Maybe it’s turning off the computer for a large window of time. Maybe it’s sitting at the table with your kids while they eat lunch versus racing to get the kitchen cleaned.
To be intentional we have to act. And today, that is my encouragement for you.
Here are my three intentional ideas for today.
1. Read for 20 minutes to the little boys.
2. Turn off the computer from 9-12.
3. Write down five gratitude things.
How about for you? What are three things that you can do today to be more intentional?
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14 comments
Rachie-
I totally needed this today! I’m getting stuck thinking too much about what the future holds and not just embracing and making the most of today. Thanks again big sis!
Your littlest (not so little) sister,
Abby
Abbs, thank you. Your words to me bless me, my sweet sister. Embrace today!
My three intentional things today (as I lie in my recliner recovering from surgery)
1. read to my children for at least 20 minutes
2. express my thankfulness to them for running the household numerous times today
3. praise their efforts to my husband when he comes home from work tonight.
As a snowfall and coughing children have cancelled our plans for going out today, my day is suddenly free. My three things are to 1. Read the Bible with my children & tell them Jesus loves them; 2. Color a picture with my girls; and 3. Find a way to make this indoor day fun for all my kids.
It is so important to think this way every day! God gives us this precious time, whether with our children or with other people He has brought into our lives…or sometimes (for me today) alone- praying and planning. Thank you for this reminder!!
I just wrote a post about intentional gratitude! Phillipians 4:8 reminds us of just this.
http://themomcafe.com/100-blessings/
Every word of this post is resonating with me today. Thanks Rachel 🙂
Thank you very much! Intentional is a new word in my dictionary, and I’m not yet sure how it translates into my native language, but I think I’m getting the hang of it. Love your points, especially the computer downtime one!
I’m working on being intentional and PRESENT. A lot of times I just want to turn the “noise” off and have “me” time, but I know my boys won’t stay young forever. Turning off the computer is a big one for me. 🙂
Your words are just so inspirational! I do agree to everything you said and today am ready to step back for a moment and think intentional. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks again for another wonderful post 🙂 If you have one about the whole comparing your kids to other kids or even comparing your kids to each other, that’d be great!!!
Know that I’m here lifting up thoughts and prayers.
Psalms 107:28-31 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
My email address
My intentional motherhood actions:
1. Time my deskwork. When time is up, stop!
2. Only read one email each time I nurse my baby; the rest of the time I can read to the children or read my bible. This will help me stay offline until my After Lunch Routine is finished.
3. Play with children 15 min each day
4. Make my quiet time a priority; it really does make a difference in my maturity level.
Thanks! That really made me think.
I really love your blog! Your posts about living intentionally especially mean a lot to me. It’s one of those things that I know I need to do, and yet I find so often that I am often rushing through the day with my big seems-all-important-at-the-time ‘to-do’ list and I reach the end of the day and think, “I’ve done it again… missed a zillion small moments”.
But I will write my list out for tomorrow (since it’s the end of the day now)
1. Organise a surprise for when my eldest gets home that will be meaningful for her
2. Spend at least 20 minutes on the floor with my youngest with lots of talking and laughing
3. Write a gratitude list for the day
Thank you again.
Your words are just so inspirational! I do agree to everything you said and today am ready to step back for a moment and think intentional. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂