If you’ve ever tried to pump to the next whole dollar at the gas station, you know it often ends up spilling because that tank only has so much space. Once it’s full, it’s go time. Continuing to pump when there’s no more room, is a damaging waste.

When he said those words, I was reminded of how easy it is for me to end up with a collection of strategies, words, ideas, visions, and intentions for change but never gain traction.

Nothing changes without action.

When God called Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he took some time to inspect what needed to be done, and then he informed those who would be doing the work what needed to be done.

Their reply? Let’s start. They had been inspired and they had intentions. But still nothing happened until these three words: “so they began.”

And because we never grow out of him, it's never just up to us. But there is something that is up to us; asking him for help. My daughter is doing online school this year and from day 1, we've told her, "If you get stuck, it's not up to you to figure it out on your own, but it is up to you to ask for help."

So, before you get busy pulling up your word-of-the-year-bootstraps, remember this from last week– BELIEVE that the Word He has given you is the Word HE is going to accomplish in your life. (Isaiah 55:10-11 from last week!)

The word I sensed the Lord gave me for this year is "intentional."

I got a new planner a few months before the new year rolled in where I wrote down all my cultivated goals and many other plans to change my behaviour.

But the first time I was alone in Superstore and I saw the bright read CLEARANCE sign, guess what happened? I was not intentional. I was the girl who loves a good treasure hunt in the bargain section while paying zero attention to the fact that it's past dinner time. My husband calling interrupted my treasure hunt and alerted me to the fact that I was late and everyone was hungry.

I hate to admit it, but my first attempts at change are often followed by the all out flop.

Last week, I dragged our treadmill out from its storage corner in the basement and I got on it. We’ve had it since 2013 and it was approximately the 20th time I’ve run on it. As I coaxed myself into running, I thought about how having something is not the same thing as using it.