Clothed with Intention

Yesterday, I witnessed this beautiful scene.

Alexander has been getting ready for soccer season and was trying on hand-me-down soccer socks from the girls. He was having trouble getting the socks on and his sister jumped in to help. Beautiful!

This morning, I woke up to this scene below; a very excited 6 year old ready for his first soccer game tonight. Everything was laid out so that he would be ready for his game after supper! I LOVE it!!!

This is a boy clothed with intention!

Years ago when my Lauren (in the purple shirt) was just a babe, I met regularly with a mentor who spoke of and showed what it meant to live a life of intention. At that time in my life I was not all that intentional. Stated simply, I believed that if I did the things I knew a believer was to do that good would result. My mentor's purposeful way of growing personal faith, family and church were intriguing and inspiring. It made sense but seemed overwhelming. Where should I start? Would I know how to do it? And how to keep doing it? God really planted a seed in my heart through her living example. It pushed me to look for answers to these questions and ignited a desire to live a life full of intention. The longer I am intentional the more my intentions line up to the goal of knowing God more.
It is a lot of work and it doesn't always turn out the way I thought but living with intention is a hope-filled way of learning while doing life and is a lot less disappointing than letting things happen by chance. I loved the point Beth made at the simulcast the other week, "we will not walk in security by accident. We need to make up our minds to use the will God gave us"
Intention has made its ways into various levels of our family and personal living. It affects so many decisions regarding things from meal planning, to my quiet time, to our family nights to name a few. I have come to find that making up my mind to do and believe something that mirrors what I am learning from the Word of God creates more room for my heart to respond accordingly.
So, my son, thanks for the reminder to purposefully, and with unmatched enthusiasm, (to choose and) prepare for each activity I am involved in.