Intentionality

My absence on writing regularly here could be explained by general negative feelings I've had about life's minor annoyances which when piled up altogether seem overwhelming and just unpleasant. I have never wanted this space to be littered with a lot of negative talk and/or my emotional whims, hence really only 2 posts written since September. I don't want to project a fake sort of happiness either, by only telling happy productive stories. However, I've found I must intentionally highlight the joyfilled moments in my life otherwise those small tribulations crowd in and cause me to forget how much I really have to be thankful for. Those little graces all around me each and every day must be what I focus on, lest I dwell on the negative---which really truly exists. And I don't want to deny those varying degrees of difficulties we all face in life. I just don't want them to become what I major on regularly. It's already my default---a glass-half-empty sort of perspective.

In many ways the year I intentionally blogged each and every week (2016-2017) was a terrific exercise in choosing to focus about the wonderful things happening around us----And what to do when there isn't anything so wonderful to report? When life just seems to tick along in a mundane style? Or when each day seems to be plagued by discouraging scenarios?

When my study is on God and His never-changing character, shouldn't there always be something wonderful to reflect upon? (Insert a big YES here)

So here's to pushing the reset button for 2019. (And I won't hesitate to press it again in 4 or 6 months if I have to, haha.  :) Why wait for January to start fresh? Living the days out, intentionally seeking God's hand that is busy accomplishing His will. I want to be a part of this!

His mercies are new every morning. His grace is poured out on us.

And His Word, alive and active, greeting me in the morning with such a fitting message as this?!

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!  - Psalm 90:12-17