Intentionality
Are we caotic and messy? A little kaos and a little mess is great, but too much leaves us with no opportunity to reflect, to mediate, to pray, to listen, to think. We need to do these things for ourselves and for our families. If we don't take time (not having time is an excuse) to think about what we are doing then we are simply existing and we are not being intentional. In order to excel in any vocation one must be intentional about what one does. It doesn't matter WHAT your occupation is, you won't excel at it if you just show up and go through the motions. This is a tough time for our whole country, our whole culture. We are being asked to sacrifice much for the greater good. Intentionality will help us all survive the craziness and maybe come out better for it in the end. With that in mind, Here is Part of One of a game plan for living intentionally as mothers and fathers.
If we expect to have Christ in our hearts and homes…Shouldn't we be intentional about getting to know GOD? Do you think you know all there is to know about God? Or do you just know enough? Are you comfortable with your relationship with the Lord? Do you hunger for more? Are you a lukewarm Christian? You show up for service each week, you pray a routine prayer before bed each night...you love God right? Do you WORK for that relationship? How do you love someone if you don't know them? Have you EVER known someone that you didn't EVER have to work to get to know?
Do the work.
Too often we expect someone (like our priest) to do all the work for us. The priest is then a mutual friend that we and The Lord have in common – we only know God through this person rather than having our own relationship with Him. We are so blessed to have truly wonderful priests who have a brilliant understanding of tradition and scripture. Our journey to personal sanctification needn't be completely dependent upon these individuals.
God is there for us to know. He is there for us to know in the BIBLE. Get to know God through The Word – Jesus was the Word made flesh. God is available to us in prayer. To have a real relationship with someone you must enter into dialogue with them and LISTEN. Set time aside for Him – for fellowship with those who know Him, for study, for prayer, for reflections. Join bible studies, go to adoration and just be in His presence, sign up for an online workshop, read scripture.
Too often we expect someone (like our priest) to do all the work for us. The priest is then a mutual friend that we and The Lord have in common – we only know God through this person rather than having our own relationship with Him. We are so blessed to have truly wonderful priests who have a brilliant understanding of tradition and scripture. Our journey to personal sanctification needn't be completely dependent upon these individuals.
God is there for us to know. He is there for us to know in the BIBLE. Get to know God through The Word – Jesus was the Word made flesh. God is available to us in prayer. To have a real relationship with someone you must enter into dialogue with them and LISTEN. Set time aside for Him – for fellowship with those who know Him, for study, for prayer, for reflections. Join bible studies, go to adoration and just be in His presence, sign up for an online workshop, read scripture.
Be a role model.
We need to be a role model of an intentional relationship with God...for ourselves and for our kids –
We need to be a role model of an intentional relationship with God...for ourselves and for our kids –
The light of the Holy Spirit shines in each of those of us who are baptized. Our daily devotions to Christ, reading the word, participating in services helps to brighten that light. Our family – our children and our spouse are the first to see the light and understand the source.
I have found myself worrying already about the souls of my children. Especially when they misbehave! The best way to pave a road to Christ for them is to be sure our path to Christ is not hidden from them. They must make their own journey to Christ, but if they have seen you on your path, it is that much easier for them.
I have found myself worrying already about the souls of my children. Especially when they misbehave! The best way to pave a road to Christ for them is to be sure our path to Christ is not hidden from them. They must make their own journey to Christ, but if they have seen you on your path, it is that much easier for them.
In Paul's second letter to Timothy he writes "Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline".
What I love about this quote is that he writes "I have been reminded of you faith which 1st lived in your grandmother and mother…"
This persons faith first lived in his mother and grandmother – it was not their teachings, or their traditions which carried on, but their living FAITH.
So take the time to get to know God personally, and to recognize Him in your life. You will see that you are not alone and He is always with you!
