Naming the New Year

While reading Ann at A Holy Experience this week, she shared that she "names" each year. When she shared her desires for this new year calling it The Year of Here.... I was right there with her.

Oh, how I desire to really live and enjoy each moment, versus being consumed with all that is needing to be completed for the next step. To savor each moment I am given instead of rushing through it to grasp the next!!

But then I started thinking and praying how I should "name" or even approach the new year...

There is soo much craziness in my daily routine right now.... my teething and fighting-naps baby, my pre-Ker and K-er pushing to do more schooling, trying to challenge my 6 yr old, keeping a busy constantly-lived-in house, etc...

that really lead me to choose words like Consistency, Discipline and Routine.

But then when I really had some quiet pondering time, I thought of words like Grace and Cherish.

The difference of the two sets of words reminds me of one of my favorite and VERY convicting stories...

Martha and Mary

³⁸The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. ⁴⁰Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!"

⁴¹The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, ⁴²but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42 (CEV)

Usually what I get out of this story is that I need to have times of quiet, when I can soak in God's truths.... a morning quiet time, moments during an afternoon naptime or even time to ponder over a sermon. And that I am soo much like MARTHA... always freaked out by what ISN'T done and needs to be done!

But this time as I thought about the story (thinking about this New Year), Christ's statement about Mary "got me".... Mary has chosen what is best!

Whoa! There are soo many "good" things that take my time during the day....

But are they "what is best"? Do I always choose THE BEST??

So I really want to strive this year to Chose the Best. The Best meaning the activities that allow me (and my family) to grow in our faith, encourage and strengthen one another and serve others.

And it is fleshed out in every aspect of my life....

In how I use my time...
What I say to my children & my husband .... And HOW I say it:)
How I use our finances...
How I school our children...

And with humility I am going to say this is will be a challenge as well as an awesome learning experience because Choosing the Best, may not always be obvious to me.... I"m sure there will be bumps and apologies.

But it's also very freeing... I don't have to "do it all"! And I don't have to get frustrated about a messy house after a great morning of schooling with the kids. I can have a devotional time and leave the dishes... just for a bit;)

But my prayer is that I would continue to grow in my walk with the Lord as I rely on Him through the year:) That the BIG things would be Big things and the little things will get done "in time"! And that as I become more faithful to grow that my family would reap the benefits and I would see them grow as well.

Off to enjoy this NEW YEAR with my awesome God and the sweet family He has given me:)

Happy New Year!!!