On New Years Eve, I sat down with the girls and made a list with them of their 2010 Reflections … what really stood out to them this year … be it personal growth, vacation or even something they acquired.
For Piper it was the healing of our puppy Pebbles. Pebbles was paralyzed and spent about 3 months in a rehabilitation center this summer. And when Pebbles finally came home, he still couldn’t walk. We got wheelies for him, but that was a pain in the butte! He couldn’t control his bladder or bowel and that didn’t make for a very happy CJ {our pooper-picker-upper and chief dog caretaker … and sure, someone else could take over, but he’s over our shoulder telling us we don’t do it right and he redoes it and so … well … we just let him do it}.
Anyway … when Pebbles came home, he had no use of his back end. But that didn’t stop us from praying, in fact, the girls still continue to include him in our prayers … and … he’s been healed! He still has a way to go to be “normal” … but he’s using his hind legs for walking now {most of the time}, and his indoor messes are fewer and far between! What a blessing for Piper to be able to recall a visible answer to prayer and then to document it for us to look back and see how God is working in our lives.
After our 2010 Reflections, I had each one think about their 2011 Intentions. Aren’t I tricky for including them in my 2011 word?
I pray for them to be intentional about their lives. About the way they live. The way they play. The way they form relationships. About devotion and prayer time. About their relationship with their Savior.
So I asked each one of them what they would like to focus on for 2011, and each of them gave me answers … although, her sisters helped out with Hunter’s.
I also asked the girls to think about a Scripture verse that would be their very own Scripture for 2011. We would memorize it, reflect on it, pray on it, and live it out. Piper and Wynter picked theirs based on their favorite SEEDS songs … although Wynter’s really applies to her and we use it often when she’s getting anxious. I gave Taylor’s hers … she picked out a different verse, which was nice, but she picked it cuz she “liked it” … and I really wanted their verses to be meaningful to them. And Hunter’s … well, based on her 2011 intention to “try to stop whining” {which the girls told her to say} and based on where she’s at in her little four year old life … I picked hers. ;)
Taylor :: Jeremiah 29:11
Taylor has a tendency to view the world as being against her in a “glass half-empty” kind of way. My prayer for Taylor has been that she think outside of her own world and instead, try to find her place in God’s bigger picture for her. I’ve seen some progress in her this past year and look forward to continuing this “lesson” with her.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Piper :: Psalm 34:10
Piper a lot of times cries when she doesn’t get her way or doesn’t get something she wants. And although, she picked this verse for herself, it really brings home the message I’ve been trying to instill in her … to place her treasures on heavenly things. I’m looking forward to continuing to explore this verse with her.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Wynter :: Philippians 4:6&7
Wynter … well Wynter, as I’ve mentioned before, is my nervous-anxious girl. She tends to let too many things get her to thinking too deeply, and sometimes too darkly than I think is healthy. I can’t wait to see how the Lord uses these words to bring peace to Wynter’s heart.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
Hunter :: Ephesians 6:1
Ohhhh … and my little Huntie! I think the verse itself pretty much sums it up for her!
Children obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
I’ve not done this before with the girls, but I’m really excited to see what this intentionality brings to their lives, their hearts and their relationship with God.
Love this so much, Tracie!! I’ve used Wynter’s verse with Meg on numerous occasions (like almost nightly!!) because she’s my worrier, too! You’re such a good momma . . . and are such an inspiration to me!!
I can’t wait to see the letters that Wynter and my Madi share as pen pals. They sound like two peas in a pod. My Madi is a deep thinker, too. I have to laugh at Hunter’s goal of not whining, my older girls would have picked that for their little sister, too. :-)
Oh Tracie! What a wonderful way to work together as a family!! I love your 2011 word & I think its awesome you found a way to instill it in the girl. Their scripture verses are perfect and I think I may just use Wynter’s as mine as well. Thanks to your & Heather’s posts yesterday I’m thinking hard about my word for 2011. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is my first time reading your blog & I love it. I love your word AND the way you incorporated your children into it. I can relate so well to your desire and prayer of Gods into the hearts of your children. I too have a “half empty” and a “passionate willed” child whom I am alway prayer, teaching, demonstrating & seeking “Gods purpose” for their lives over my own fleshly expectations.
Anyway, this response has gotten long. Really wanted to say…I’ll be back. Thanks for sharing.
oh my beautiful friend… oh won’t you pick verses for my kids, too? please? this is truly lovely, and although i’m sure the whole sitting down and thinking and talking had its less-than-lovely moments, the result is pure intentional beauty. {sigh}
love this! what a great way to focus on positives for the new year…being intentional about growing as a person!
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