My teenage daughter approached me the other day informing me that she was intrigued by the fact that she and her 13 year old brother had one in the same goal on their list of goals. Before I had the opportunity to query her goal setting, and what that entailed, she was rushed to give me the information that was dying to escape her lips, so I let her talk.
“I accidentally saw Zac’s list of goals and we have the same goal.”
“What goal is that?”
“We both want to adopt a baby from Kenya.”
“That is so amazing. You just have to go to college, and then get married.”
“Oh, I’m not going to adopt the baby, you are.”
“Oh, really, that is your goal? Dad and I will have to pray about that one.”
Even though I was slightly intrigued with the fact that she and her brother both thought that we should consider adoption, I sloughed off her request and instead concentrated on her idea of setting a list of goals. I was less concerned with what was on her list, and more concerned with the fact that she had enough maturity to compose a list. “I don’t even have specific goals for my day.” I thought to myself.
A few days later my husband approached me as I was working at my computer and said, “I made a list of goals for myself.” He too was motivated by the fact that our two oldest children had created a list, and was inspired to do the same.“Can I read them to you?” I eagerly said, “Yes” and listened intently to his daily goals, which might I add had no mention of adopting a child from Kenya. His list included everything from answering e-mails within 24 hours to spending time in God’s Word each day. I was inspired.
At this point I realized that I was the only one in our family over the age of 10, who had the ability, yet failed, to write a list of goals. I not a fan of being “odd man out” so I made my list: Refuel spiritually at every moment possible through prayer, devotionals, and worship music, listen to voice mails and return calls in a timely manner, write for one hour, 5 days a week, and don’t yell unless a child is running out into the middle of the street, were a few of my 10 goals.
The act of typing these out and committing to adhere to them was stimulating. An act of surrender proceeded. I was certain, that only through God’s help would I be able to achieve all ten of my goals in a 24 hour period.
My son, daughter, and husband inspired me to make a list of goals and I’m glad that I did. Goals are good. Goals help us to stay focused. Goals give us meaning and structure, and, if your goal includes adopting a child from Kenya, that is amazing.
What goals do you have for your day, week, for the month, for the year? Make a list.
“I accidentally saw Zac’s list of goals and we have the same goal.”
“What goal is that?”
“We both want to adopt a baby from Kenya.”
“That is so amazing. You just have to go to college, and then get married.”
“Oh, I’m not going to adopt the baby, you are.”
“Oh, really, that is your goal? Dad and I will have to pray about that one.”
Even though I was slightly intrigued with the fact that she and her brother both thought that we should consider adoption, I sloughed off her request and instead concentrated on her idea of setting a list of goals. I was less concerned with what was on her list, and more concerned with the fact that she had enough maturity to compose a list. “I don’t even have specific goals for my day.” I thought to myself.
A few days later my husband approached me as I was working at my computer and said, “I made a list of goals for myself.” He too was motivated by the fact that our two oldest children had created a list, and was inspired to do the same.“Can I read them to you?” I eagerly said, “Yes” and listened intently to his daily goals, which might I add had no mention of adopting a child from Kenya. His list included everything from answering e-mails within 24 hours to spending time in God’s Word each day. I was inspired.
At this point I realized that I was the only one in our family over the age of 10, who had the ability, yet failed, to write a list of goals. I not a fan of being “odd man out” so I made my list: Refuel spiritually at every moment possible through prayer, devotionals, and worship music, listen to voice mails and return calls in a timely manner, write for one hour, 5 days a week, and don’t yell unless a child is running out into the middle of the street, were a few of my 10 goals.
The act of typing these out and committing to adhere to them was stimulating. An act of surrender proceeded. I was certain, that only through God’s help would I be able to achieve all ten of my goals in a 24 hour period.
My son, daughter, and husband inspired me to make a list of goals and I’m glad that I did. Goals are good. Goals help us to stay focused. Goals give us meaning and structure, and, if your goal includes adopting a child from Kenya, that is amazing.
What goals do you have for your day, week, for the month, for the year? Make a list.
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~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com/2009/07/whatever-happened-to-grandma-grandpa.html