June 3, 2015

SUMMER! 

It’s finally here. This is the time where we get to reset our goals, go on vacation, and have focused intentionality with our children. I have got a plan for this summer, and I pumped about what it is going to produce!

When people typically talk about summer and goals, even I can check out, but let’s make even our recreational time intentional on re-creating. (see what I did there?! recreation = re-creation)

Many of us do not have the summer off, but the electricity in the air, the change of pace, and the warmer weather still stir us. We stay up later, eat more grilled food, and generally just have a more playful spirit.

What in your life need to be rejuvenated? What needs new life breathed into it? What needs re-created into something altogether different? Take a bit of time before you hit the ground running to focus in on exactly WHAT you want this summer to produce.

You may need it to produce rest. If you are exhausted from the past school year, this may be a perfect goal for you. But if it is, make real rest intentional. Unplug for 30 minutes a day and get outside. Or take the time to actually take a nap! Rest for you may be reading a book or laying in a hammock. Figure out what helps you unwind and rejuvenate, and then be purposeful about doing it. Summer won’t produce much rest without this intentionality. With kids going to camps, and grandmas, and the pool, you have to purpose to make it restful. 

It may be that your goal is to connect deeper to you children. If that is the case, don’t get so amped on going and doing that you miss the opportunity to listen to their heart and see them. Plan time in your day to have moments of intimacy. Plan time in your week to take each kid alone to get ice cream or a tea. Whatever you want from your relationship, plan for it. Plan time at bedtime to just talk about life. If you want these conversations to be apart of your world, then you have to allow time in your schedule to just talk. Bedtime usually produces the most honest conversations with kids, so think about putting them to bed 15 minutes earlier just to capitalize on these talks.

You may have the goal this summer to learn some new recipes. I know that I sure do! Our supper routine has gotten just too routine. I am already glancing through recipes books and marking the new ones that I want to try. I am going to intentionally shop and keep my pantry filled with yummy healthy treats for my kiddos, and I am going to purpose to get them more involved in the kitchen.

Goals need to have specificity and obtainability to them. They need to tap into your motivation for you to achieve them. So while you are making them, think about why you want the things that you want. It will help you clarify what you are really after.

For accountability here are several of the goals that I have set:

-Learn 2 new recipes a week

-Have a 1 on 1 date with each kid once a week.

-Spend quality time connecting with our extended family

-Lay outside and look at the stars as often as I can

-Get a clear cut outline for the video study guide for Imprinted

-Teach Zoe her sight words, Adie her multiplication facts, & work on reading with Kai

-Read one book every 2 weeks

The summer is kinda like time. It just flies by. And this year, I am purposing to make sure that it doesn’t pass me by. Will you join me? Send me an email with the goals that you have for this summer, and let’s make it the most intentional summer yet!

Bless

__________, I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. I bless you with the ability to enjoy every second of your summer. I bless you to fully embrace the people around you, and I bless you with rest that is beyond comprehension.

Declare

I declare that I will have momentum this summer. I will move with intention from one moment to the next and I will work with the Holy Spirit to accomplish the goals that He helps me set. I declare that I will call this summer a successful, fully connected one!