Five Minute Friday scribblings, Intentional Living

Intentional: Living With Intention

Jeanne Takenaka

@JeanneTakenaka +Jeanne Takenaka

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—INTENTIONAL. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. We write for five minutes on a given word. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out the Five Minute Friday website. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!

As I learned what our word is for this week, I had to smile. I spent last year focusing on this word: Intentional. As I prayed tonight, I got excited about what I might share. So…here goes…

INTENTIONAL

One year ago, I had some understanding of what it means to live intentional. Walking through 2017 focusing on this One Word was transformational for me. God taught me how to be more intentional in my relationships with my family, with friends, with Him, and in writing.

I learned a lot about what it means to live intentional.

I got lots of practice on relating with our boys as they mature and walk out the teen years. I became intentional in the words I did—and didn’t—share.

God still has much to teach me about living every area of my life with intentionality.

The biggest thing He’s speaking to me about right now is to do life WITH Him.

To parent with Him.

To “wife” with Him.

To write with Him.

God wants me to do things with Him. He doesn’t want me to do everything on my own and then ask/expect Him to bless the work of my hands. Done in my own strength.

By myself.

When I commit my ways to the Lord, when I trust in Him? That’s when he goes to work in my life.

But more than that, He wants me (us) to remember that I’m not “doing life” alone. He is always with us. He yearns for intimacy with me and each of us. He wants us to remember we are not orphans. We are loved. Deeply. By a caring Father.

When we walk through life we can intentionally draw near to Him. Commit our thoughts, desires, fears, frustrations, those deep yearnings of our hearts to Him. 

We all have things we’re called to do. Whether it’s caring for others, for animals, vocations, nurturing relationships . .. He wants us to do these things with Him.

More important than the things we do, we are the main thing with God. Not our dreams, responsibilities . . . not our jobs, our callings.

Intimacy with God . . .

When I’m intentional about spending time with Him, seeking Him out each day, He renews my perspective. And God aligns the other things in my life. That is the best way to live intentional.

What about you? What helps you to be intentional in how you live out each day? How do you define “Intentional?”

Click to Tweet: God wants us to remember we’re not “doing life” alone

I’m linking up with Five Minute Friday—Intentional

Published by Jeanne Takenaka

Award winning aspiring novelist, Jeanne Takenaka, writes contemporary inspirational fiction that tackles real life issues with a heart to draw women closer to God and those around them. She lives near the mountains in Colorado with her amazing husband and two exuberant boy-men. She loves being God’s girl—always learning about His grace, hanging out with friends and enjoying a great cup of coffee. When she’s not writing you can find her with a camera in her hand, looking for #alittlebitofpretty in her days.

37 thoughts on “Intentional: Living With Intention”

  1. Jeanne,
    this was so much to think upon! Thank you for the depth of a year’s wisdom condensed into a five minute offering. I so appreciate your love and support and how you have texted and called me at the most intentional times. God has ordained those times and you listened so well! I hope to be an encouragement and support right back to you when you most need it. 🙂
    Blessings, my FMF neighbor. (Yes, I posted tonight and am number 3)
    Love,
    Tammy

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    1. Tammy, I love when God puts people on other people’s hearts to pray for and connect with. I am truly blessed by the gift of your friendship, sweet friend. Thank you for being an intentional friend as well! I might be a little tickled that we’re neighbors at FMF this weekend. 😉

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  2. So good! Life is not meant to be done alone. Very thought provoking post friend. I’m in the 4 spot this week.

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  4. Beautiful post and pictures, Jeanne. Great job.

    For me, intentionality is an everyday need. Sometimes God seems far away, and being intentional means that I chase away the ‘natural man’ that wants to use that as an excuse to doubt.

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    1. Andrew, I love that you are being intentional about chasing away the ‘natural man’ that encourages you to doubt God presence and His great love for you. Stay strong in your belief, my friend. Praying for you lots today!

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  5. Beautiful Jeanne! We will either be intentional with God or flounder around in the sand without him. I choose God.

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    1. Kristin, I forget too. That to-do list and my expectations can be such cruel, isolating task-masters. I’m glad these words encouraged you. I always appreciate your visits!

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  7. Two things struck me: First, being intentional with what I DON’T say. Wow. This is so big for me. I find myself living intentionally with the words I do speak, but they don’t all need to be said. Whew. Lots to think about there…. Also, I love your reminder that God is doing life WITH us. That we are created to walk beside our creator. Love this image so much.

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    1. Annie, this mothering thing can be so complicated. With both boys in the teen years, I’m learning more and more what not to say. As I’m sure you’re learning with your girls. 🙂 I am so glad God does life WITH us. I can’t imagine trying to do everything on my own. Thank you so much for stopping by!

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    1. Yes, doing life WITH God is so much better for the heart and spirit, and body. 🙂 I hope you have a great weekend! Thank you so much for visiting! It’s nice to “meet” you!

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  11. “God wants me to do things with Him. He doesn’t want me to do everything on my own and then ask/expect Him to bless the work of my hands. Done in my own strength.”

    I saw Allen Arnold speak at a conference last year and his book and he spoke a lot about creating with God. It’s a simple concept, it would seem at first glance, but the depth is profound. How can we even begin to use our gifts without His leading? I am convicted about this and as I’ve looked around in the FMFParty this week, the word intentional seems to be driving a lot of us to reflect on our talents, vocations, and gifting. Thank you for sharing your words here. I am blessed by your wisdom.

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    1. Erendira, we are kind of crazy to think we can effectively use our gifts and fulfill our calling without God being at the center of it, aren’t we?! I am still figuring out what it looks like for me to create with God. It’s definitely a shift in the way I think. 🙂 I am so grateful for your insights and your visit. Have a beautiful weekend!

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  12. Great post. You write a lot in 5 minutes. I tweeted a couple of times. I like your outlook: we are intentionally working with God in everything we do. If we have that close connection that is what we are doing.
    Blessings
    Janis

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    2. Janis, thank you. Yes, when we choose to create, or to work, with God, He does so much! Sometimes, He works in us, and sometimes through us. But, when we work with God, we let Him determine the focus and the reach, and numbers, etc, become less important. 🙂 I so appreciate you visiting! Have a great weekend!

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  13. I think the best way to be intentional with God is to be aware at all times that He is there, near us, only a prayer away. Often in life we are so busy rushing from one job to another that somehow we tend to forget this very true fact. He is there.

    God bless.

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    1. Victor, it takes time to nurture that awareness, doesn’t it? You’re right. We live in a hustle-hurry world that wants to drown out an awareness of His presence. May we grow in awareness of His presence with us. Thanks so much for sharing your insights!

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    1. Marie, I come back to this concept too. Doing things with God. It’s hard to relinquish the control I think I have over things. But, when we trust God more than ourselves, it’s a little easier to do things with Him. 🙂

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  15. “More important than the things we do, we are the main thing with God.”
    Seriously Jeanne, this was such a tonic to my heart.
    Such beautiful words. Seriously this is a post that I could highlight and read again and again. Such wonderful truths here.
    I cannot take back all the things that I tried to do without Him, but I can redirect that focus. You’ve given great wisdom today.
    Thanks!
    Praying for a wonderful week ahead. 🙂

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    1. Kelly, we all need that reminder, don’t we? That we, His kids, are far more important to Him than anything we achieve or accomplish for Him. I’m so glad God used these words to encourage you, my friend. We are all works in progress, learning how to do things with Him. So thankful for you!

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  16. Oh yes! Not to do live alone. Recently I shared that I once was very fearful of letting go and being still, as I was worried that all I had built would not be held up if I was not there to hold it up! He helps us, and takes care of the details. Intentionality I am learning, is dead without works, but also dead without faith, I think. Faith in the intention holds me up no matter the part of the journey I’m on. Great post as always, J!

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    1. Lynn, it’s funny how, when we worry about all that WE build, we should be worried. It’s only those things built on God’s foundation and with His leading that will stand the trials we face in this life. I love what you said about intentionality being dead without works, but also without faith. Good words, my friend! So thankful for your insights!

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  18. We ARE sisters! All too often I try to do everything on my own (because I think I can do it better, or because I get tired of asking others to help and having them not follow through). But, really, I can do NOTHING on my own–my srength comes from God.

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    1. Laughing, Anita. You’re the sister with the fun hair, and I’m the sister with Uber-straight hair. 😉 but yes, too often, I’ve convinced myself I’m the only one who can do something. No one (including God….yikes!) can do things the way I think they should be done. Yeah, I might be a little arrogant when I think that way. Thankfully, God, in His grace, is reframing my reality to understand I can do NOTHING without His strength and leading. Love learning life lessons with you, friend!

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