Monday, February 1, 2016

Quiet and rooted. {goals for 2016}


  Over the last few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about 2016. A la Lara Casey, February 1st is my January 1st. I don't love rushing goals or making them just to make them. For me, looking back on the past year is so good for seeing where I've come from and the ways God has been tweaking my heart and lining things up and closing doors to what I thought were sure things. It helps me see how he answered the prayers I forgot I had even prayed.

   I also so love looking forward, too. Not with a hurry up and get there attitude, but instead so that I can live intentionally. Last year I really committed to digging deep into the Word and knew it was a lofty goal from the get go. But! I am so much better for it. Those tiny seeds planted every morning I sat down for how ever many moments I could find seemed unsubstantial at the time- but looking back I can see how, strung together, they've changed my heart. So I've been praying about 2016 and how I can dig deeper and what this year might look like if I'm intentional about the most important things.

  Even before I started thinking about my goals for 2016, this verse has rolling around in my head. {I talked about it a bit here} Without really meaning for it to happen, it became the springboard for every goal I have this year! I don't usually pick a word for the year- but I've sort of landed on these two for 2016//
quiet & rooted

I love this definition of quiet: to make or become calmer or less noisy. Yes. Less noisy. That's what I want 2016 to be the year of. I don't mean literal noise, because I have two kiddos and two big dogs and that would basically be impossible. Our house is often loud and hectic. What I mean is seeking less figurative noise. Less comparing, unrealistic expectations, saying 'no' out of fear, busyness, anxiety, looking too far ahead, talking when I should listen, doing before praying, trying to do it all. LESS of all that stuff. Together it all gets loud and drowns out the most important things I want to give my best to- God, family, others. And the best way to quiet things down? Being deeply rooted in the Best thing- God's Word.

So, here are my goals for 2016! They're a bit broad, but I've got some action steps for each. I love these goals. I can't wait to see how they change my heart and draw me closer to God and bless the people around me. And real talk? I'm nervous as all get out about the last one! It is so. far. out of my comfort zone to ask people to join me in something like Noonday Collection. But I don't want to play it safe- I want to look back at 2016 knowing that some things were so big, only God can take credit for them. Amen?

Goal One: study the word. {Use Jen Wilkin's method of studying the Bible, memorize a verse each month, keep my Bible out to encourage daily study, study with Justin/friends/other women/kids}

Goal Two: focus on family. {de-clutter house, date Justin {love dare?}, schedule work so my days are free for kids, phone-free times, ask for help around the house, plan adventures, pray for my family, take care of myself}

Goal Three: Use my work with Noonday Collection to help build a flourishing world. {achieve a spot on an Artisan Trip, choose a local organization to support monthly, adoption shows}

Phew. There they are! Now that they're written down and out there for you to read- I instantly feel more committed to them. Keep me accountable! Help me accomplish them! If you see me in real life or follow me on social media- please do check in and ask how these goals are going. Did you set goals for this year? Share them with me! We're better together!

Ps. I used this series to help set my goals this year! Even if you don't think you're a goal-setting type of person- you need to check it out! I have a feeling you'll change your mind :)


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