Focus — Part 1

Lots of people have “words” for the year. I’ll admit… I’ve always tended to be more of a goal person rather than a “word” or “resolution” kinda girl.

But this year, as I was mulling it over, the word focus came to me.

And it just fit so perfectly with what I felt God had been calling me to lately, that I’m claiming it for 2014.

My brain has been a bit chaotic lately. In turn, pretty much my whole life has become that way. Granted, some of that is just the nature of having 4 children and a job and writing and the like. But it’s gotten to an unhealthy level that needs to be righted.

So instead of making resolutions or goals, I’m taking small steps, one at a time, to try and focus more. To bring clarity to the things I’m doing, to weed out the confusion and let God be my focus.

One of the things laying on my heart lately was this very blog. I’ve always LOVED to blog, but I’ll be honest. The last year it’s felt more like a chore. I’ve had such a hard time figuring out its focus/purpose. I get a wee bit down when views/comments are down. And that’s just plain stupid.


So I’m making a few changes to increase my focus.


#1.) I’m going to spend much less time fretting about page views and followers and comments and shares. YES, I still love them. YES, every blogger eagerly tries to figure out how to increase them. But instead of focusing on numbers, I’m going to focus on writing what God puts on my heart, and letting him help figure out the rest. Not that I don’t care about the others. I’m a numbers person, if you know nothing else about me. But I’m just trying to redirect my focus a bit heavenward.


#2.) Part of my issue is my sweet youngest daughter. I teased a long time ago that Annabelle hijacked my blog when she was born. And that was TOTALLY okay. I honestly feel like God used my blogging during that time to both strengthen ME as well as to bring His glory during that rough time. But lately I’ve slipped into just using it as mundane updates on our family, and the goal for my blog was never just to be an update on the goings on in the crazy Phillips’ household. Oh, you’ll still get some fun stories, but the focus will change.

To aid this, I did what I probably should have a long time ago.

I started Annabelle a Facebook page of her very own!! PLEASE feel free to go “like” the page and when posted, share prayer requests with others. It truly is just a page to keep those interested in my sweet princess updated on her status and how you can be praying for her. It is open so anyone can view it, regardless of if you are “on” Facebook or not.

The link is: https://www.facebook.com/prayersforprincessannabelle


#3.) My blogging schedule is Monday/Thursday and has been for a while now. I am going to continue that schedule, however I am giving myself a bit of flexibility by making Thursday optional. If I don’t post that day, it means my week was super busy! This allows me the ability to post when I have some thing to say (which will be most of the time!) but still focus on my family and not feel like I have to put up a lame post just to “fill” in the spot!!

Discussion: Do you have a goal/resolution/word/prayer for 2014? I’d love to hear what God is laying on YOUR heart this year!

Oh and if you’re having a ton of snow and below zero temps today— stay warm!!! And build a snowman for me, okay? (We only had a dusting of snow… no snowmen will be built!)