#2019wordoftheyear by: Deborah Ard

I am a planner. I get most excited when I have a new calendar that is blank and ready to be filled with my plans. I find satisfaction when I am able to take time over the weekend to map out our family’s schedule and meals for the upcoming week. I delight in having everything ready for an upcoming event in our family life. But why do I do all the planning? What is my intention?

INTENTION: an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

As a wife and mother of a 14 and 10 year old, teacher, active member of my church, friend, daughter, sister, etc…my life is very busy. Often my life is busier than I can handle. I am sure many of you feel the same way about your life. Many times I feel the “busyness” is out of control and I cannot keep up. Therein lies my word for 2019: intention. For weeks I have prayed about what my word for the New Year would be and as I looked for God’s inspiration I found He led me to this word through various devotions I read, songs I heard at just the right moment and conversations with others. Therefore, I looked for scripture to support my 2019 word and found it in Ephesians. I also like to compare translations so here are two versions of the same scripture.

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible-and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

 Ephesians 5:11-17 NIV

“Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate time! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Ephesians 5:11-17 MSG

If you are like me you may often feel like a circus clown juggling plates while riding a unicycle. The clown is often off balance and more often than not a plate gets dropped. I vow to lay down some plates this year and intently serve only the best on the plates I carry! As I start each morning with devotion I will turn to the above scripture, “Make sure you understand what the Master wants.”  I will allow God to guide my intentions for each day, week, month and the 2019 year. May I be ever present in the moments of each day so that my actions reflect my intentions. Ultimately my overall intention is to be the best me I can be. May I daily live up to the potential God has for me.

This marks the third year Julie and I have adopted a word of the year and I have grown through each word adoption. In 2017 chose the word Joy. My 2018 word was Hospitality. As 2018 draws to a close, again I encourage you to ponder and pray about a word to shape 2019.  What word speaks to you as you plan for the New Year? What direction are you taking? As you choose a word we would love for you to share your word with us so we may all encourage one another and hold one another accountable. That is my intention!