Being Intentional Doesn't Come Naturally

I'm learning things here and there as I get a little older. I'm thankful for these things in the end, but not always interested in learning them at the moment. One of these things, I'd like to share with you. 

Being Intentional. Being intentional doesn't come naturally, that's why it's called, being intentional. The concept: going above and beyond what you would naturally do, for the sake of a purpose or mission. Webster's dictionary says it this way: Done in a way planned or intended. 

This means, to be intention, requires some thinking. After working all day, after serving all day, after emailing & meeting all day, it's really difficult to be intentional at home. I get this. It's almost exhausting sometimes to always be intentional with relationships. So it's much easier to not be. It's much easier to just go with the flow and let life play itself out without my energy of being intentional. 

Here's the problem with this philosophy, it leads to missed opportunities & other problems. For example, lets take shopping. Shopping unintentionally can lead to excessive spending and a whole lots of unnecessary stuff. Raising a child unintentionally can lead to routine matters without ever teaching a single thing. Going to work unintentionally can lead to laziness and eventually unemployment. And the list goes on and on. 

So why am I sharing all this... because adopting unintentionally can lead to a roller coast of emotions if one is not intentionally searching for God's blessings in their life. The journey has been up and down. This journey has led me to my knees on more than one occasion. Adoption isn't easy... it's intentional. We've intentionally sought after God's heart for our child. We've not just sat around, knowing that one day a child will show up at our front door calling us Mommy & Daddy. It usually requires awareness, fundraising, and a whole lot of intentional prayers. This week alone has been one thing after another. 1. Emily was hoping to return to the states on Friday, now she'll be coming home on Sunday instead. 2. Many of Eli's clothes are too small, including the Halloween onesies we had for him, which means we'll be returning them along with some diapers that are now too small. We were assigned a judge, only to find out she's at a conference all week. These things can become overbearing at times, reminders of the fact we are here and he is there. 

But being intentional about seeing God's blessings means... 

1. Emily is coming home. PRAISE GOD, Emily is coming home on Orphan Sunday!

2. We've been assigned a judge. PRAISE GOD, that's one step closer to a court date!

3. Eli is growing like crazy!!!! PRAISE GOD, Eli isn't malnourished and underweight!

Being intentional through the adoption process is soooo important. It's also important for a Believer to be intentional. Unintentional Christianity can lead to people going to hell for eternity. "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" Romans 10:14 

Bottom line is... Unintentional people miss out on God's amazing plan for their lives... GO BE INTENTIONAL TODAY!