Intentional Fall Decisions

My visions of the fall season are stereotypical.  I dream of crisp mornings and sweaters.  I long for football games at which a steaming cup of hot chocolate would be the perfect treat, instead of counting water bottle consumption so as not to get dehydrated from the heat.  I imagine curling up with a blanket and a book. 

To date, this fall season hasn’t lived up to my dreams.  The weather forecaster says autumn’s glory is coming.  I’ll believe it when I can walk to my car without sweating. 

As hot as the start to fall has been, I can’t help but think that we are on the home stretch to 2020.  Friends, in just 90 days, we will be ringing in the new year!

“What decisions will I make this fall to make my 2020 story one I want to be living?” 

This question has played on repeat in my mind and heart for days. 

Last year about this time, I saw a girlfriend posting 100 days of gratitude to end her 2018. 

Soon after, I came across a social media post from Rachel Hollis, the author of Girl, Wash Your Face.  She encourages her readers: “Imagine what it would be like to start your new year on the 20^th floor instead of back down at the basement.”

I was inspired!  It makes perfect sense, but for someone who has always said, “I’ll start Monday” to diets and “I’ll exercise more when it’s cooler,” this was new thinking. 

My fingers flew through a series of quick text messages with one of my closest girlfriends, and it was settled.  We decided texting would work best for us and jumped into a “90 Days of Gratefulness” challenge together. 

From October through December we texted almost daily.  We’ve been friends for almost 20 years, so gave lots of grace for missing days!  In January, we decided we enjoyed it so much we would keep going with other challenges.  We found writing prompts online, modified them for daily texts and came up with our own ideas.  As of this week, we’ve texted the vast majority of the last 365 days! 

In chapter 20 of her book, “The Next Right Thing,” Emily P. Freeman tells the simple and soul-reaching story of picking new plants for her home.  She writes,

I’ve assumed it’s normal to learn some things in life, like how to read, write and use the computer.  But for some reason, I think taking care of plants should come naturally.  It’s not like that, though.  This is also something that could be and, if you want to, should be learned.  But we have to start somewhere, and the beginning is as good a place as any.  So, pick what you like, then see how it grows.  (emphasis mine)

Emily P. Freeman

While Rachel Hollis’ encouragement seems primarily for healthy choices, and gratitude is good for our emotional state, I’m longing this year for my intentional choices to have even deeper, more lasting meaning. 

What decisions will I make this fall to make my 2020 SOUL-story one I want to be living?

My year of texts became less about the gratitude and joy and humor we shared, though that was important, and more about committing to connect. 

Freeman’s plant picking became less about home aesthetics and more about making the first, small move to try something new. 

This season, let’s commit to start, even start small, and see how our decisions grow. 

Will we decide to set aside time each week to connect with a friend in person?
Will we commit to pushing aside unkind thoughts and speaking love into those closest to us?
Will we establish a routine of worship and prayer?
Will we choose to say no to invitations that rush us and yes to opportunities that grow us?

In Galatians 5, Paul encourages us to intentionally make choices that bear spiritual fruit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  In James 1 and 2, we are reminded that our works – this spiritual fruit Paul taught- are the evidence of our faith. 

Almost without fail, our family Christmas card each year wishes others peace and joy in the Christmas Season.  This year, my prayer for you begins now.  I pray strength and wisdom to make intentional choices to move toward God’s love, joy, and peace in this fall season. 

With intentional choices and decisions in the next 90 days, we can begin 2020 closer to a soul-story we want to live.

Hugs, grace, mercy and blessings – Bethany