Take Action by Pam Farrel

by pam farrel

WWW.LOVE–WISE.COM

WHEN I SELECT A NEW WORD OF THE YEAR, I LOOK FOR REPEATING WORDS GOD IMPRESSES ON MY HEART in the study of God’s Word and how He sends words that will inspire, enrich and improve my life across my life path.

As my year began, I realized a major writing project I have been trying to get to for the past three years had still not been completed. Sure, I had reasonable excuses: we remodeled our home to get it on the market, we downsized 95 percent, sold the home, moved to our extended family’s vineyard, worked the vineyard so we could really capture the John 15 passage of “I am the vine,” we bought a live-aboard boat, then moved on to the boat so we could be nearer Bill’s 90-year-old parents who require many hours per week of caregiving — all while carrying on our writing, traveling, speaking, coaching ministry of Love-Wise.

Yes, life was busy, but in my heart of hearts I felt compelled to finish the project I had been carrying in my mind and heart for so long.

The Reflection

To better center my heart, I did a review of praise and gratitude to thank God for ALL he HAD accomplished in our lives the past three years. In my bullet journal, I keep track of my prayers and praises. As I pondered my praises, I did realize God had accomplished much more than it even looked possible given our heavy family responsibility.

I asked myself, “How did I get so much done in the middle of a whirlwind of life?” God reminded me of the study of the Proverbs 31 woman I had done for my book 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman: Success in Keeping It All Together. While I recognize this description of a godly woman was penned as a tribute and likely covered the accomplishments of

her lifetime, while studying the passage, one VI-TAL trait consistently popped off the page: The girl took ACTION! She didn’t just hope, dream, wish or plan. She got stuff DONE! Let’s look at this famous passage together, quoted from the ESV. (I have emphasized the actions and verbs.)

The Reality

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

She DOES him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She DRESSES herself with strength and MAKES her arms strong.

She SEEKS wool and flax, and WORKS with willing hands.

She is like the ships of the merchant; she BRINGS her food from afar.

She RISES while it is yet night and PROVIDES food for her household and portions for her maidens.

She CONSIDERS a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She PERCEIVES that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

She PUTS her hands to the distaff, and her hands HOLD the spindle.

She OPENS her hand to the poor and REACHES OUT her hands to the needy.

She is NOT AFRAID of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

She MAKES bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

She MAKES linen garments and sells them; she DELIVERS sashes to the merchant.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she LAUGHS at the time to come.

She OPENS her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She LOOKS well to the ways of her household and DOES NOT EAT the bread of idleness.

THE RESULT

And what is the positive outcome of her proactive action plan?

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

the Get It Done Girl: Maximize Your Moments Action Planner. And I decided ACTION would be my world of the year too.

Several years ago, when I wrote 10 Secrets of Living Smart Savvy and Strong, I had my creative director, Jan, create a weekly to-do sheet based on the VERBS of my life. This action-based planning system helped me continue to set goals and accomplish dreams even in the middle of a strenuous set of life transitions. I decided that if this action sheet helped me, and it was helping women who picked one up at my speaking events, then what could I do to better help women around the world take action to achieve their hopes and dreams? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a 52-week action planner based on Proverbs 31? So Jan and I created

About this same time, our friends Julie and Greg Gorman invited us to listen to the launch of their new marriage ministry and one of them said, “It is action not intention that creates success.” I felt like they had spoken my motto for the year of ACTION into my heart.

I created a Your Best Year Ever! set of worksheets many years ago so women or couples could have a way to weave their Word of the Year and intentionally process it throughout their life. (Available at www.Love-Wise.com.)

I set about to select my verse of the year and add in my song, scent, art and clarifying question that would help make forward movement in my life:

Word of the Year: Action

Verse of the Year: “Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and DO it” (Ezra 1:4, ESV). “So Ezra got up…” (Ezra 10:5, CEB).

Motto of the Year: Action, not just intention, produces success.

Song of the Year: “Hold On” by Toby Mac

Scent: Cedar and Cypress essential oils to symbolize the strength I would need.

Symbol/Art of the Year: I selected a carabiner because as I studied the meaning of the verse, the phrase “we are with you” is a picture of a group of supporters bonding to your life to make you stronger so you can do the hard things to obey God.

As I looked at the responsibilities and tasks in the year ahead, it looked like a very steep mountain, so I bought a carabiner, the very vital connector that mountain climbers use to help each other up a steep cliff. I attached one to my purse, and I will be giving them to my key prayer partners and practical support team as a reminder that it takes a team.

Clarifying question of the year: What action should I take next to move up this mountain of life?

I have been selecting a Word of the Year and a verse each year for 40 years! I have seen the positive and powerful fruit of allowing God to focus your heart and life. I believe this process of Word of the Year works because of the power in Jesus, the Living Word, and the Bible, God’s Word that makes all the difference!

LH