Intentional Living.  
It's a title that sounds so proper, so promising, so eloquent.  But it's also like ordering something unpronounceable from a fancy French restaurant and pretending to know what it is :)

So what is Intentional Living?

• You know that feeling you get on January 1 when you're ready to conquer the year (and your new exercise plan)?
• That feeling you got when your college sweetheart got down on one knee to propose (or when she said yes)?
• That determination when someone tells you that you can't, but you know very good and well you can and you're ready to prove it?
• That motivating moment when a pastor speaks encouragement into your life and you feel it down deep in your soul?

Wrap all those feelings into action and you've got Intentional Living.  It's that desire to write your life story - pen in hand constantly - with pages that matter.  Pages that say, "I counted today and I made someone else realize they counted.  I am proud of the way I lived my life today and will make tomorrow even better."

Let's intentionally connect with each other.  Intentionally live life together with a positive outlook and encouragement but also of compassion and care.  Let's bear burdens and celebrate victories.  Pray for healing and praise success.  Success in our lives, businesses, and spiritual walk.  

By diving into God's word and John Maxwell's Intentional Living best seller, we'll pretend every Wednesday at 7:00 is a New-Year's, Pop-The-Question kind of day.  See you then. :)

Click here for more information or to sign up. 

~Michael & Allyson McElroy

Someday I'll tell him

Someday I’ll tell him.

So far, Cole seems to be a follower.  Although others see him as a leader, he doesn’t realize it.  He’s energetic, happy, and full of ideas.  But he’s a people pleaser.  (After months of failed potty training attempts, I told my then-three-year-old boy that it made me sad when he didn’t pee in the potty.  That was that.  He never wore a diaper again.)

But this same trait that has allowed Michael and me the luxury of correcting and disciplining Cole with mere words or looks of disapproval, disappointment, and displeasure may haunt us some day.

Cole wants to please.  He wants to fit in at whatever the cost.  Even though Cole is one of the tallest and smartest in his class, he has an enemy.  At 7, Cole’s nemesis is his age.  He’s the youngest in his class.  He’ll be the last of his friends to turn 8.  Then 9.  Then 10.  He’ll be the last to drive and the last to get to vote.  This age difference is HUGE in his mind.  And, in his eyes, it leaves him no choice but to be a follower by the very definition.

So someday I’ll tell him.  I won't just think it or hope it or steer him in that direction.  

I'll tell him.  

I’ll tell him that he will have to take a stand.  Against every fiber of his being, he’ll have to say no when others say yes, say it’s wrong with others say it’s right, say I’m leaving when others say please stay.  I’ll unwaveringly tell him what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s expected and what’s not expected.  I’ll tell him that pleasing others is wonderful as long as it first pleases God. 

Someday I’ll tell him he might be the last man standing.  He might be fighting the battle alone – or so it may seem.  And along the way, I’ll either be his biggest cheerleader or the uncoolest mom, but I’ll tell him.  Someday. 

But today, I’m a green army man who just lost the battle against the last warrior standing.  Cole’s “pow pow!” took me – and all my men – down in seconds.  Again.  Amazing. 

“See, Cole.  You’re a leader!” I say without saying.  Instill without speaking.  Pray without him hearing. 

And he smiles – a gapped tooth grin under summer bleached hair.

Yes.  Some other day.