posted by Sarah Chia

With Christmastime, it’s easy to know that vigilance is important.  We all expect our homes to start getting crowded with new gifts, whether they be viewed as intrusions or welcome displays of someone’s love for us.  We can enter the season knowing that we will need to be aware of what’s coming and be intentional about what’s going.

Today, my family started the year by packing up Christmas decorations.  We got rid of a few and made sure everything fit in the allotted 2  boxes.  Now, in our home, the Christmas season is officially gone.

But I have to remind myself that simplicity requires intentionality all year long.  The way our culture goes, it will be easy to fall prey to the little things that end up turning up.  Papers and crafts from school.  Hand-me-downs the neighbors send over in goodwill.  Accessories for electronics.   Focusing on things can be an easy way of life for those of us in the developed world.

But what’s easy is not always what’s simple.

So, we enter 2013 with high hopes for the next 12 months.  Here’s to success in our lives, love in our hearts, and a realization of our goals.  Or in other words….

Here’s to a year of intentionality in all seasons!