I have a wandering mind. Can anyone else relate? At any given moment, I have at least a dozen thoughts vying for my attention. And my mind…well, it feels manic, mostly. There are days when I am so lucid. Really. I mean, I can actually have an adult conversation that lasts longer than 20 seconds and really feel big-time smart when we’ve finished. Big. Time. But those days, those moments, are sparse. Maybe all it takes to change that, though, is just a moment.

Sometimes I think that my mind gets so scattered and unorganized because of all the things I want to say or want to do that get put off because I tell myself I don’t have the time to do it right. For me, my desire to make sure I have it just right can take me out of the treasure of the moment into the strain of the of-so-perfect “later” when it really just never gets said or done.

So here I am sitting, on the eve of the first Monday of 2020 deciding to take a moment. Just a moment to reflect on the day, pray, write, and encourge. As many of you, I have looked towards what is ahead for the months to come and I am looking at ways to improve and grow from what I have learned in the months past. I am reminded of how often I have prayed for things to come, but how easily I have been distracted from the paths that the Lord has laid out to accomplish those goals.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. -Proverbs 16:9

Even as I am writing this, I am struggling with feeling that I haven’t said really what I meant to say. But when I lean into the Lord, I am reminded that right now, this is just about being present and surrendered to the moment so that He can start something in me and through me.

So friends, be encouraged to be present. Be encouraged to take a moment. Say what’s on your heart. Accomplish that task. Take something off the backburner. And watch what can happen as all those purposeful moments add up to meaningful steps towards your goals.

-jewels