Pursuit of Joy

I know you’ve been on the edge of your seat, perhaps even biting your nails down to nubs waiting for my one word of 2013.

Are you ready?

Do you really, really want it?

Well, here we go…

CALM.

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I think I need to focus on being calmer this year. I need to reprioritize and make my family first, after God. I have some new big responsibilities at church with my husband beginning next week. We already teach the adult Sunday school class. If I don’t make some changes, I will fast approach burnout and I don’t want that.

My blogs are taking back burner for a while as I focus on family and real life. I will still be around here and on social media, but my hours spent here will be a fraction of what they have been. Please understand. This is my season. I have to keep to a schedule on this as well as everything else.

I want my kids to look back and remember me as calm. I don’t want them to describe their mother to their friends as irrational or turbulent. I want to be serene and composed. Unruffled. I want to be relaxed and not agitated all the time. I want to remember that they are children and focus on all the good and be loving and kind…and calm.

I want to love more. What’s the point to anything if I live in fear and don’t love completely? If I am calm, I am free from anxiety and able to love without reserve.

God is strong. He will help me in noble pursuits. I want to pray unceasingly to Him about everything. I don’t think there are any trivial prayers. Don’t you think He loves to chat with us about our experiences? He can assist me in being calm. He will grant me peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~John 14:27

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

I need to have fun with my kids. We need to take time to paint nails, read fun books aloud, bake crazy cupcakes, and eat more chocolate! I want to let them be children and have fun. It’s not all work and boring stuff. I need to be calm about the messes and silliness.

yeah. um, I need to exercise because it will help me be calmer and healthier. It will help my depression. ‘nuff said.

and just for fun…but seriously, when all else fails, I need to give myself a time-out. I am not perfect and I know I will have breaking points. I need to learn my triggers and remove myself from the circumstance before I blow. I need to remember to apply my essential oils and take my vitamins every day. eat more chocolate. turn on a fun song and get everybody to dance. go run around the block. or just lock the bathroom door and pray.

Calm.

Linking up with Only a Breath.