Priorities 2009

With everyone talking about New Year goals and such I thought I would share what I have decided to call my Priorities for 2009. Now these should always be my priorities, but I have actually put them down to help me focus. I got the motivation and inspiration to do this from the blog like a warm cup of coffee .


1. God

I want have a personal relationship with Him. I want to fear the Lord. I want every decision I make to be based on this relationship. I want to have wisdom that only comes from the Father.

My commitment: Get up early each day to sit at His feet in Bible reading and prayer. Spend time memorizing the scriptures to focus myself for the day.

Verses of focus:

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; In the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

Also:
Proverbs 2:1-6; Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10; James 1:5; Proverbs 31:30; Proverbs 31:26


2. Husband

I want to be a wife who brings glory to my husband. I want him to find peace and comfort in me. I want him to understand that I am his biggest fan. I want to bring joy to his life. I wnat to be his best friend.

My commitment: Make an effort to respond to him lovingly and intimately. Serve him and show him respect. Be patient and careful not to nag. Have date nights.

Verses of focus:

"A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11-12

“Wives, submit to your husband as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 5:22-23


3. Children

My goal is to train my children in the Lord. I desire for them to love God’s Word and for His words to be on their hearts. I want to have “play” time with them when I’m not thinking of what needs to be done. I want them to see how importance their Daddy is to me. I want then to learn how to “be still” in this busy world we live in.

My commitment: Work hard at getting my home in order so that I can be freed up to spend time with them. Gain control of my time and schedule so that I have time to focus on teaching them stories from the Bible in fun ways. Talk lovingly about their Daddy all the time. Schedule quiet times during the day.


Verses of focus:

"These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. When you lie down and when you get up. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a sign. Tie them on your forehead to remind you and write them on your doors and gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-8

"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

“Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Proverbs 31:28


4. Home

I want a clean home - a home of comfort and peace. I want a place where my children feel security and warmth, my husband has a haven, and place where people can show up and make themselves at home. I don’t want to let perfectionism to get in the way or discourage me. I also desire not be overwhelmed by the tasks that need to be done.

My commitment: Work hard. Don’t allow distractions and overwhelmed feelings discourage me. Put my family before myself by taking care of the home God gave me.

Verses of focus:

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27

"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14


5. Gifts

I want to use my gifts and talents that God has blessed me with me to strengthen my family, friends, church and to be a light to the world and those sweet souls around me.

My commitment: Use my gifts to encourage our small church family.

Verse of focus:

"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10


6. Personal

I want to find time to enjoy my hobbies and just do whatever I love doing! I feel I will be able to enjoy this time more when everything else is in order.

My commitment: Take time for the things I enjoy!

Verses of focus:

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- is anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

While these are my priorities for everyday life I also felt the urge to pick a word or a group of words to focus my attention on each month to address aspects of my life...12 words to be exact! one for each month of the year!

January- Focus
February- Forgiveness
March- Quietness
April- Sacrifice
May-Nature
June-Family
July-Learning
August-Simplicity
September- Routine
October-Hospitality
November-Thankfulness
December- Joy

I will see where all this thinking gets me...It's nice to have a clear Focus, but I'm prepared to also roll with the punches!
What are you doing to jump start your New Year?