Between rain showers, I’m in the meadow, pulling weeds. Usually my quota is one large scrub-bucket then quit for the day. Now I carry wet, muddy armloads and dump piled-high buckets full into the surrounding woods. Our meadow has become home to some of the tallest weeds I’ve ever seen, and they’re seeding, spreading, out-competing grasses, flowers, and plants. Despite my best intentions.
That is a lie. The weeds proliferated because of my true intention: procrastination.
What other lies do I tell myself?
I’m going to consume less, exercise more, be kinder, talk less and listen more, read and write more, network and socialize more, clean and garden more, practice my flute more, pray more. Notice what’s listed last, which tells me what my real intentions are.
Truth is, I do pretty much what I want, within reason. There are things that need tending, of course. But what I intend to do is more or less my choice.
This week, Bible studies at church and in our local community start up again. It’s a good time to touch base with my New Year’s One Resolution: For Thy Glory. I had used Psalm 90:17 for inspiration: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands—O prosper the work of our hands!
On New Years Day 2018, I wrote:
- For Thy Glory, my hands will restructure my manuscript, write essays, and blog.
- For Thy Glory, my hands will embrace family, friends, and neighbors around the world, both face-to-face and on social media.
- For Thy Glory, my hands will pick up a past enthusiasm for making music.
How well is my one resolution—my best, best intention—aligning with my behavior? Fair, and that is my true intention. Those who have read my blog posts over the past several months might agree with that assessment.
Could I do better? Yes, if I keep words like Paul’s in mind: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23
For Thy Intention, not mine.
God bless you Carole! I don’t like weeding either!
Thank you, Ryan, and God bless you. For me, weeding can be character-building:-)
Inspiring. Feel like I just watched Rocky III and I’m excited to do my own grueling work today.
Go for it, Alex! I’m cheering for you! M