5 Things Thursday: Steadfast

I’m noticing a trend that’s been steadily creeping up on the longtime tradition of New Year’s resolutions.

For lack of a better term, let’s call it “word-claiming.”

You know, the thing you do when you pick a word as your word for a particular season or year.

In addition to liking the concept of owning a word/idea for an entire year, I think we’re also aware, deep down (or maybe very near the surface, in my case) of how easy it is to make a list of things we want to do better, eat less of, make more of…and then fail miserably at staying true to even one item on that list.

I asked you on our Facebook page the other night what your word for 2013 would be if you could choose just one, and so many of you responded with great ones: patient, joyful, hopeful, loving, healthy, content, helpmeet (from a wife whose husband is about to enter his residency; I’m thinking he will be grateful for that word), diligent, fruitful…

I found myself nodding my head to practically every one.

So, if I’m jabbering on about this word-claiming business, then I must have chosen one too, right?

Yup, and if you’re a title reader, then you already know what it is:

STEADFAST ::resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering::

It’s not necessarily the most exciting word in the world, but with 5 small people and one full-sized husband around, things are plenty exciting around these parts already.

The kind of exciting that makes it really easy to get distracted. And tired. And overwhelmed.

So, a little bit of constancy. a wee bit of discipline, a scoche of stick-with-it-ness couldn’t hurt.

Not that I don’t have any of that stuff already. But if I’m going to be the kind of wife, mother, friend, teacher, and most importantly, Jesus-follower that I want to be, then I could use more.

So, in 2013, here are 5 areas where the word “steadfast” will be my motto.

I want to be:

1.

Steadfast in my work

All too often, I have 5 different things going on, and I go from one to the next—in between feeding twins and filling Della’s never-ending orders for, “More juice, pease, Mama”—trying to keep all the plates spinning in the air.

And all too often, at least one plate ends up smashed to smithereens on the ground (often, quite literally).

That’s life right now, but I’d prefer to not have to buy new plates every week, so my goal is a more steadfast work ethic.

2.

Steadfast in my play

Sometimes, I’m in the middle of reading a book to Della or playing a game of air hockey with the boys, and I find myself feeling guilty that I’m not doing something “productive” with my time, or I have to ask Ezra to repeat himself 4 times because I was thinking about an email I need to send instead of being fully engaged in the conversation (not that he minds; sometimes, I think his favorite thing ever is repeating himself).

I want to be unwavering in my fun. It sounds silly, but when I’m relaxing, I don’t want to be thinking about what I “should” be doing.

Steadfast play. I like the sound of that.

3.

Steadfast in my love

This one is simple. I want the way I treat my children/husband/friends/coworkers in public to be the way I interact with and think about them in private.

I say that public part because we’re always nicer and more patient with, say, our 5-year-olds, when the eyes of the world are on us.

Aren’t we?

Steadfast love is true, genuine, and loyal. 

Yes, please.

4.

Steadfast in my faith

This year, I’m doing something I’ve done at least 10 times before: reading through the Bible in a year.  It’s nothing new, but I’m really looking forward to the consistency that it will bring to my daily routine.

I will also be memorizing one Bible verse a week (starting with the one at the bottom of this post).

There are plenty of other (more ambitious) ways I’d love to grow spiritually, but those two are the foundation for my steadfast faith this year.

5.

Steadfast in my heart

There’s a lot of talk in the Psalms about a “steadfast heart” and how God values it. And I want one. I listed it last, but, honestly, without a heart that is steadfastly turned toward my Lord, my chance of success at any other steadfast goal I’ve mentioned is less than nil.

…………………………………………………………………………………..

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

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So, what about you guys?

Do you have a word for 2013?

I’d love to hear it.