Intents and Intentions. Being Intentional.
What are the intents of my heart this day? I sit in my living room as the sun slides through narrow slits in my window shades, pondering this word.
I hope my intentions are noble and good. I pray that I am truly seeking God with all my heart and soul.
I am intent on being a loving wife and mother. I have intentions of raising my daughter to honor God.
All my noble intentions are not worth a dollar if I do not act on them.
I have to be more than have an intent to do good. I have to perform my good intentions.
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
A tree sits nobly, but it cannot intend.
It cannot be intent on change and good.
Even the lowly creatures cannot act on their intentions.
[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@MaryHill16″]As humans, we have power that we can turn our intentions into noble deeds and actions.[/tweetthis]
I can be a good mother by loving my daughter and setting a good example for her. I fail miserably at this some days. On other days, my actions are guided by my good intentions.
How do I turn intention into action?
First, I have to understand my full intentions. I want to be a good mother by instilling values and encouraging a love of Christ in the heart of my child. These are my heart intentions, but I have to develop a game plan of specific actions to accomplish this holy intention. I start with the word, reading and studying it for myself. Then, I work to ensure that my child is exposed to the holy word. Other ways to accomplish this intention is to take her to church. Illustrate my faith through prayers and actions. Show her how God’s word can fulfil and enrich her lives. Without specific actions, my intent never bears fruit.
So the steps include : identifying your intent; reading the Holy Word to ensure it aligns with His will; developing specific actions to bring intentions to life and accomplishing them.
What intents are in your heart today? What approach do you use to bring them to life and accomplish them? Great places to start are the Word of God and prayer.
Written for Holly Mueller’s Spiritual Journey Thursdays where today’s prompt is Leigh Ann Eck – One Little Word for the New Year: Intent. You are welcome to join us in the journey.
I am also linking up with great linkups listed on my Linkup Parties page.
Great post. Our intentions are only as good as our actions. But, I often try to give grace for the intent of the heart even when we can’t succeed. Still, we have to work hard to put our intentions into practice.
Kim Cunningham recently posted…Little Things Thursday
I love this rendering of the Hebrews 4 verse. We need to marinade our hearts in the truth of Scripture so that the Word can do its piercing and dividing work on our thoughts and intents! I know that this is your heart as well!
Michele Morin recently posted…Created to Make a Difference
Thank you for so clearly, so concisely, and so beautifully sharing your reflections in response to today’s focus word: “Intent.” I appreciate the way you have provided practical guidelines that include the Word and Will of God. To that end, thank you so very much for sharing Hebrews 4:12 and 1 John 3:18. Truthfully, if you had stopped the post after sharing that powerful visual presentation of Hebrews 4:12, you would have given me an immensity of inspiration. I don’t think I’ve ever allowed that particular verse to catch or capture my attention. Thank you! God bless you in all fulfilling–with the help of His Word and Grace–all your holy intentions for mothering your daughter, even as both of you share the same relationship: each of you is a Daughter of the Most High God. Thank you!
Bobbie Taylor recently posted…Intent
Hebrew 4:12 is a powerful statement to start my day, Mary. Let’s see if my intents will work to bring joy to others today.