Living Life Intentionally

Life has been lifin lately! It's like the enemy has really been attacking me on every side especially when it comes to others and my character and integrity being challenged... It really had my head and emotions spinning for a second. It came down to me hankering down and remembering that I can only control the controllables. I can't focus or think on about what others do or don't do but I can focus on me and what I do, and make sure that what I am doing is right and the best for what I got going on over here- my family.

I have learned to live a life of purpose and intention for the last 15 years and with that I have come to understand just how systems and routine are pivotal when it comes to reaching goals and staying focused. For someone like me, who's brain tends to wander easily, checklist, which was something I used to never do, became my best friend. Be organized and intentional go hand in hand for me. If I want something done- it needs to be written down or the likelihood of it getting done is slim to none.

At the end of last year, when I found out that I was pregnant..again, I told myself "It's time to lock in!" I have had so many things that I had put on the back burner in the light of really focusing in on my babies, my family and my marriage. While I was able to get my associates degree, while being pregnant with my two youngest, I still knew that there was so much more that I wanted and needed to accomplish...soon. SO with that, I decided it was really time to make my Calendar my best friend and leave no stone unturned and really...I mean really... stick to the schedule...put everything in the calendar...just really lock in. Let me tell you, I have accomplished so much in the first 4 months of this year than I have in the last 4 years of my life. It's not because things have been easier or the load lighter either. On the contrary, its quite the opposite, I have way more going now that I did then but it came down to creating a system that works for me, that works for us. Of late, the system has gotten another revamp- so much so that I have my husband implementing the system as well and have even incorporated my children and put things in place for them to understand the importance of routine and system but also intentionality and purpose.

With that, tying things back to my beginning statement, life has been doing its thing and I thought that it would really be important for my husband and I to incorporate scheduled one on one time with each of our children. With child number 6 coming and another baby, I wanted to get a head start on this before that season of having a newborn really started to have its way (IFYKYK). So this was the first week to implement this time. I had one on one time with my oldest daughter and by the time hour one was over I found myself thinking, "Ok, what is something we can do now that won't cost me anymore money because.... yeah lol" So I had the idea to go back home and do something creative. With that, I just finished and published my first coloring book that coincides with my first published book, Hey Sis, I hope you're Healing... While this coloring book is specifically for adults ( I have a children's coloring book coming soon) I knew that having her color in a book that mommy wrote and created would be such a cool experience for the both of us. When we got back home, I grabbed my only copy and told her to grab some colored pencils and opened up the page "Nurture." I wanted to go straight into coloring and she began to read what I wrote and I can not tell you the emotion I felt in that moment. It was magical moment. I had to document it. When she finished reading she shook her head yes and said, "Yay, mommy." I saw that what was on that page resonated with her in a way that she needed in that moment. My 10 year old daughter learned the importance of nurturing herself in that moment and it was beautiful. We sat and we colored and she asked to color more. I asked her which word she wanted to do and her reply was "Hope".

That intentional moment and time that I sat aside for my baby girl was worth all the things it took to get here, to that moment of magic, wonder, discovery and connectedness. It was truly and beautiful time that I was able to carry with me the rest of the day and I know I will carry with me the rest of my life.

The Word tells us to count it not strange when we are put through the fiery trials , but to rejoice in his Glory that will be revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-14) then it goes onto say continue to do good. Live that life with good intent and purpose and know that the glory that comes with that is coming...be faithful, do not give up hope and don't lose focus. You got this mama!