Bloom Where You Are Planted

I have always loved the saying Bloom Where You are Planted, and I have decided that it is my mantra for 2009. In going with the thought that I am currently planted right where God would have me to be for this season of my life, I figure it is time that I get busy blooming. It is a new year, full of new possibilities, and I am excited to see where the months ahead will take me.

Some things I will be working on this year:

*I want to grow in my faith in God. I have come to the realization that if I truly believe in Him, the way that I say that I believe in Him, then many things about my life need to change. I am tired of the lip service that I am giving Christianity, and I am tired of feeling lukewarm. My Christian walk is like that of many others. It has had its ups and downs, its highs and lows. Times when I have actively sought to know God, and times when I have just gone through the motions. I'm not sure what feels different about my resolve to know Him more deeply this time. Perhaps it has something to do with having a very curious four year old who asks a lot of questions, and coming to the realization that I do not have many answers to give her on why our family does what it does. It is quite humbling to have your child put the purpose of your life into perspective.

*I want to be a better wife. I don't just want to grow old with Boss. I want to grow old happily in love with him, and him with me. Let's face it. Sadly, there are not many older couples today, that I know, who have marriages that I want to model ours after. I can count them on one hand. I want more than that. I want to be everything for Boss that God created me to be for him.

*I want to be a better mother. I have just finished reading The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, and I am so very inspired. It has become very real to me lately, that I only have this time set before me with my children (and I am not promised a single extra day!), and I want to make the most of it. I don't want to be too busy for them. I want them to know that being their mama is the most important job in the world to me.

*I want to be a better homemaker. I want my children (and all who enter my home) to find it to be a haven. I want to do more of the housework, so Boss can relax more. I want certain scents, foods, colors, to be etched in my children's minds, so that one day, when they are older, they can pull those thoughts to the front of their minds and be comforted.

*I want to take better care of myself. Last year, I lost a few pounds, but got off the band wagon after summer vacation. This year, I want to lose a few more. I want to feel healthier, eat healthier, and have more energy to do all of the other things that I want to do. I want to take better care of my mind, and focus more on the positive and what is before me right now. I want to take the time to continue to develop my tastes and my likes. Sometimes I see mama's get so lost in their families, that they forget who they are as an individual.

These are some of the things that have been on my mind that I want to work on this year. I have so many more thoughts on each of these subjects, and I can't wait to write them all down in individual posts. I want to record where I am at the beginning of this year, so that I can see where I stand at the end of it. I am ready to bloom where I have been planted!