Focus.

I feel God tightening up the reigns a bit in my life.  My spirit is anticipating great new beginnings.  New chapters.  God has been gently speaking to me about areas in my life that need renewed focus, commitment and accountability.  I am not sure where all of this will lead us, (Jonathan and I both share these feelings), but I want to be prepared when He does open the door. 

Specifically, where and how I spend my time.  I feel the Spirit urging me to clarify my values, and follow through.  I need to be selective about what gets my attention.  If it requires readjusting the routine and sacrificing the comfortable feelings, so be it.  I feel it's a step that is required of me at this time, in order to move forward.

There are spiritual steps and practical steps that I need to take.

On the practical side, I am going to read more.  I took the girls to our local library over the weekend and we all picked up a few books.

I also feel God nudging me to befriend specific people.  One way or another, He is weaving my path with their's.  He sends little reminders to me, almost daily.  2 specific people.  I welcome His nudges so I am going to follow-through and hopefully He'll keep nudging.

I am training myself to be more organized.  (This also is a great feat for me.  Ask any one of my family members.)  I am packing lunches and laying out clothes at night.  I am working on meal plans and organized grocery shopping trips (with coupons!).  I am planning, not just for tonight or tomorrow, but next week.  These may sound like no-brainers to you, but they're small steps for me.  I'm getting there.

With more organization, I also hope to gain punctuality.  (Stop laughing Amanda.)  This may be the one that seals the deal.  If we (my family) can master this one, then we have arrived.  My wise brother-in-law wrote a little snippet last week.  In it he mentioned punctuality, and said, " It's a matter of integrity for me.  I am accountable to be diligent, reliable, punctual".  This really hit home with me.  It's an area that has been a constant struggle for me.  And it is spilling into the routines of my children.  I want to reverse this nasty trait and teach them the value of their time, as well as the time of other people.

So that's a start ... there's much more to add to this growing list.  I'll continue with Part 2 later in the week.