January 1st is a time when many people evaluate the year behind them and make goals or resolutions for the year ahead. There are many ways of doing this but several years ago I started doing the ‘word for the year’ idea. While some years I’ve done better than others I have found it to be a really good fit for me personally. It gives me focus and guides me without making me feel like a failure if I don’t meet certain specific guidelines.
This year my word of the year is ‘Purposeful’. I spent quite a bit of time over the last few weeks praying and thinking about choosing my word. I knew that I wanted to be very aware of how I was spending my time and using what was given to me in both time and resources to live well with-in the will of God.
To accompany my word I have chosen Proverbs 19:21 as my scripture for the year. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
I want to make sure that no matter what my plans and desires, I am focusing on the Lord’s purpose for my days. Sometime I think that for me it is easier for me to do that on a large scale than a smaller daily scale. I want to go into each day focusing on doing whatever it is that the Lord wishes of me that day. Some days that may be focusing on my home or the children’s schoolwork. Some day I may need to lay aside those carefully crafted plans to focus on other needs in our family, church, or community.
What do I think being ‘purposeful’ will look like in a practical daily sense? I intend to prioritize my prayer and quiet time as well as our family devotions. If I am ‘purposing’ to follow God’s will I have to make sure that I am spending time with him daily so that I may clearly see his will. I intend to evaluate how we are using our time to make sure that we are using it effectively. This doesn’t’ mean that every moment has to be busy and productive but that we are not wasting our time. Sitting quietly and reading a book with my children may not sound productive but it is certainly purposeful. I intend to be purposeful about reading one book per month. I also want to be purposeful about eating well. I am not looking to diet but want to continue and increase our focus on eating well as a family.
I’ve included links to a few of the resources I intend to use to help me with being more ‘purposeful’ this year below. I would love to know if you have a ‘word’ of the year for 2018.
Resources:
Quiet Time Challenge (Not Consumed): I need to be purposeful with my time with God and I’m hoping this free challenge will help get me back on track. If you need further resources for quiet time she has some great ones in her store.
Finding Selah: This is the first of 12 books that I plan to read (1 per month) and I’m hoping to help find that intentional peace and rest.
Simple Sermon Notes Journal I am hoping this helps keep me focused on Sunday mornings (especially when I’m balancing a new born in a couple months) and helps me to be Purposeful in my walk with God.
Which Planner is the Best One?: Taking the time to plan (while be open to God’s leading) should help me be more purposeful in my use of time.
Deals and Freebies!
Free Daily Writing Prompts for Elementary or Teens Write Shop is offering free daily writing prompts to help make teaching writing just a little easier.
Write Shop is also having some great sales and giveaways for their 17th birthday this month!
Apologia is having a huge store wide stock up sale! Great time to buy if you want to change curriculum for next year or if you are looking to switch things up this semester.
SchoolhouseTeachers.com is also getting ready to have a big sale! Stay Tuned for more information.
Also check our free resource library with history freebies, recipes, and more!
When you sign up for our free resource library you will get a link and password to the library, we are adding to the library each month with new items. You will also get a bi-weekly newsletter email to keep you up to date on what we have going on.
This post may contain affiliate or referral links. As always I will never recommend a product that I don’t believe in and you will never be charged more for purchasing through our links. It does help pay for the costs associated with the blog.
The Schoolin' Swag Blog 