2023 Intentionality Challenge

Hi and Happy New Year!

Going into the new year can feel like a lot. There is all this messaging around vision boards, planners, manifesting, and resolutions. Some of those practices are fruitful for me, but there has also been a beautiful addition to my new year's experience. Over the last several years, God has given me a theme and scripture of the year for my family to reference in all decision-making. I usually hypothesize about how they will play out, but the curve balls never fail to surprise me. Before we get into this year, here is a quick recap. 

2020 was Discipline

Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

We stripped ourselves of financial distractions and denied ourselves luxuries. As a result, we paid off all our credit card debt and several other looming medical bills. We also flexed new muscles of consistency to launch a podcast. 

2021 was Pivot 

This year was about a shift in mindset. My husband Nick started working for himself, launched an event space, and we also wrote and shot his first cooking show. Then he moved to GA to get set up while the kids and I stayed back in St.Louis. We lived apart for almost five months, then were reunited when we joined him in December. 

2022 was Radical (Acceptance, Faith & Plans)  

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’

Last year was a LOT. I went into the year exhausted and burned out. I felt like life was boxing me while I just took the punches with my gloves down. Then things got a bit better before getting WAY worse! I had no idea why I was going through so much (more on that later) until I reflected on the whole year. I thought back to the burnout of Jan, to feeling defeated yet hopeful. I remembered asking God to give me my fight back, and truly meaning it! But I was NOT ready for the way He did it. I hit my absolute lowest bottom to date and had to fight for each moment of my day. I certainly got what I prayed for and then some. 

And now for the backstory of this year.

On Dec 19th, I was doing my devotional when God started talking to me about the power of prayer and how I often neglect it. He pointed out (again) that I  rely on systems to solve my problems and only go to Him once they have failed, leaving me more overwhelmed than before. While processing that truth, I wrote, "(the theme for) 2023 is hovering in the areas of prayer and action. And prayerfully, we will obey." As soon as I finished, God said, “That’s it. The action you need to focus on is to Obey.” Pray & Obey! We had our theme. Now we just had to wait for the scripture. 

Fast forward two weeks to New Year's Eve. I’m still clueless, and now the discouragement is setting in. Despite feeling down, I began mapping out my year and filling in my planner while praying for God to cover it all. The next day at church, the sermon was about the Lord being our shepherd. As the pastor wrapped up, he said, “Let this be your anthem for the year...” At the word choice, my ears perked up with anticipation, and then he said, “Seek His will in all you do (Pray), and He will show you which path to take (Obey)." And that was that! Proverbs 3:6 was confirmed. I have NO idea what the Lord has in store for our family this ear, but I am excited.

This is where my post originally ended. Then I wondered, “What DOES God have in store for me this year?" I mentally jumped forward to December 2023 and did my recap using the same format from earlier. 

What was the theme for the year

What scripture held me accountable, and

What did God and I accomplish this year

Here it is:

2023: Pray & Obey 

Proverbs 3:6 Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take

This year I really tuned into God’s voice. I had big plans and He showed me how to walk them out. I published my first book and started a business. I also FINALLY posted my poetry for people to listen to whenever they want. 

Your turn! Challenge yourself to go into 2023 with intentionality. In December, what will your 2023 Recap say?