Living Intentionally

When you know change is coming, do you find yourself being more intentional?

Since March, Dan and I have found ourselves at that point. One day we discussed what were some things we wanted to do before we left Minnesota, and truth be told, there wasn’t much. If at all, anything. Yes, we would love to visit more places, like Mt. Rushmore (since we are that much closer right now), Voyageur National Park, just drive to South or North Dakota since I have never been. But let’s be honest, there are always more places to go and those places, we’d love to take Mazy anyways, when she is older.

When I start to think about how we lived our life or what we would do differently in the next few months at that point, there wasn’t much. Though, what I have found, is that I feel I am trying to live more intentionally.

Each day seems to have it’s own purpose, of course, but I find that every hour I have, I want to make the most of it. Whether it be writing a card to someone, decluttering an area of our home, making sure I spend the best quality time I can with Mazy, while also making sure I am relying on God. Always.

When change is on the horizon, it often makes me sit back and wonder, do I have any regrets? Do I wish I lived differently? What can I do different in the next chapter? How do I want to change? In looking back over the past 4 years, I realize I personally have changed incredibly. I have become more of a home body, but I realize that was all in preparation for having a child (have to love how God works!) When we moved to Minnesota, I wanted something to do, since I had not found a job immediately, I started an organizing blog, and became passionate about simple living (but don’t let that fool you – I’ve got a LONG ways to go!) Not having family around, we have learned to build “family” type relationships with others. If you think I was an open person before, look out! There isn’t much Kristin doesn’t talk about – in fact, I don’t think there is anything! And if you know me, you’d probably agree.

Being intentional in living, especially in the next few weeks, has made me really think. It has made me want to spend as much quality time with people as I can, knowing their physical presence will not always be there, though the friendship will. It has made me take time to just sit and be, knowing that life is truly going to get crazy. It has made me love, hug, and nurture Mazy all the more, as we already see signs of anxiety coming through over the changes (it’s amazing what a 2 year old can sense)! Time alone with Dan is not always easy to come by, especially with his job, but I have found our conversations have been more intentional because they’ve had to be. Talking about our stuff, our house, what to move, what we will miss, what we are looking forward to, etc. Conversations that sometimes seem too few far and between, but conversations that have been good and intentional.

And then there is just the time spent with God. Being intentional about my relationship with Him. Of course this is something I always hope is at the forefront, but I have my moments. When change is ahead, and faith and God are the things that are sure, being intentional with them, couldn’t be a more calming place. Doing my devotions, talking about God with Mazy as we play in the sandbox, talking with others about God, and just taking time out of my day to just pray, are all things I want to continue to work on, but also realize that they are life-changing. Being intentional in my relationship with God truly has been life-changing. I have never been so sure about my faith, but I also realize oh how far I have to go – the more you know, the less you realize you know. Isn’t that the truth? I realize all the more, the grace I need for each day because I am more aware of the changes and sin in my life. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

How about you? Are you living life intentionally? Do you feel you are living with purpose? If you had to move in a week, how would you change your life? What would you do differently? Are you intentional about your relationship with God?

Live intentionally today!