The smell of cinnamon and crisp nights is in the air.

October has come and gone, and thanksgiving is just around the corner.

Which means prepping, traveling, shuttling the kids to school, attending holiday parties, volunteering, financial strain…the list can go on and on.

But in the midst of the busy, the Lord invites us to draw our strength from Him, and to stay rooted in the peace of Christ.

Because when we make Christ our reason, our mindset and the posture of our hearts shift. Business turns into intentionality, and tasks into heartfelt worship.

Below are three intentional ways you can make Christ the center of your day regardless of if this season brings busier, longer days, or slower, cozier ones.

Choosing a scripture to memorize is wonderful way to get to know God’s word by heart…but so is intentionally acting upon it.

Pick a piece of scripture that you feel like resonates with you that day, or week, or in this season, and ask the Lord to help you to be able to obey Him by applying it to your everyday life.

For example, if you’re in need of patience, choosing a verse such as:

Ephesians 4:2
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

Making it a point throughout your day to be on the lookout for situations, conversations, and activities that you can practice being more patient and slow to frustration in is a wonderful way to keep our hearts focused on Christ.

Another example could be if you’re struggling with gratefulness, choosing a piece of scripture such as:

1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Being intentional to hold your thoughts captive throughout the day, and instead when you find yourself complaining, choosing to turn it into grateful thanksgiving and praise.

Thanking the Lord for all the blessings He has given, and even the trials, for in them He will show His glory and rescue you with His mighty hand.

As someone who’s job is being on a screen…I can say firsthand how difficult it can be to disconnect from the blue light and enter into more intentional prayer time.

Using screens every now and again and or in moderation as part of intentional family time, or down time, isn’t a bad thing. But when they interfere with genuine connection and prayer, it can be used as a weapon against our already tired minds and bodies.

Choosing to swap screentime for intentional intercession and prayer is a wonderful way to release your worries and stresses to the Lord instead of drowning them in what the world has to say.

Below are ideas on what to pray over/ about if you’re having trouble knowing where to start:

• Pray over your home
• Pray over your spouse
• Pray and thank the Lord for His provisions
• Pray and thank the Lord for your identity in Christ
• Pray WITH your spouse
• Teach your kids a short form prayer
• Call a friend and ask to pray together
• Pray through the Psalms
• Pray using the different names of God

Business, tasks, responsibilities…

Just those words alone can be enough sometimes to make you catch your breath.

When there seems to be too much to do, and not enough of you to get it all done, taking time out of your day to sit with the Lord and ask Him to help plan your day ahead is a wonderful way to learn from the God of order Himself.

The Lord knows our hearts, struggles, obligations, and tasks.

He knows what needs to be done, and how to steward the same 24 hours we all have been given better than even the most organized of people do.

He created the earth and everything in it in, He created us in the proper time, He removes and gives at the perfect moment in our lives…all with perfect timing and intentionality.

We can glean so much from just giving up what we think our day needs to look like and allowing our Heavenly Father to take the lead instead.

So, as we all move about the business of the holiday season. May we lean on the Lord more and more. Allowing Him to prune and shape our days, intentions, and habits.

May we trust in the Lord’s timing and judgement and center our days around Him as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings this season.