I tend to have my hand in a lot of different pots all at once. I am a very social human, I like to try new things, and I just generally like to be involved. It’s often difficult for me to say no, not because I am afraid that people will be disappointed in me (though every once in a while that is a factor), but it’s because I really just want to do it all. I convince myself that I can, and when I accomplish everything on my lists of to-dos and show up to all of the places on time, I give myself a little pat on the back and “told you so” to all the people who claim that “no one can do it all.”

I’ve realized recently that just because I can do it all doesn’t mean that each person and activity is receiving the best of my time and effort. I dash around the Twin Cities giving little pieces of my time, energy, and talents to my job, worthy causes, fun social pursuits, side jobs, and whatever else might present itself as available that week. But at the end of the week, looking back, I find that something or someone got the short end of the stick. And on some weeks I only have the short end of the stick to give, and everyone loses out including me. The guilt that I experience because I know that I can do better drains me of any energy I might have had to restore what might have been lost. 

I am doing something new in 2019 and I am choosing a word to zero in on and put in to practice in all areas of my life: 

FOCUS. 

Focusing on a few good things that bring life and joy, focusing my time and energy on those few things so that they each receive the best of who I am, focusing my downtime to be more healthy and constructive, and focusing my attention more acutely on Jesus.

I recognize that will mean giving up some things, stepping away from others, waiting for some current commitments to end and saying “no” even when I really don’t want to but know it’s better for all if I do. I know God will show me new meanings of the word “focus” and I will continually ask him to grow and change me and help me to discern what it is that he has in store. 

So here’s to 2019: a year of Focus. 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33