• Home
  • Our Authors
  • Blog
  • Events & Giveaways
  • Privacy Policy

Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

2021 Intentions

January 6, 2021 By D'Ann Mateer

For the past 5-6 years, every “goal” I’ve made for the new year has been swept aside by forces beyond my control. One year it was a bout with myocarditis, an infection in my heart. One year it was a move to a new city. Two years were weddings. Moving to a condo was another. Moving suddenly “home” again, too. And so I stand at the threshold of 2021 wondering what it will bring.

A few years ago, I read a book called Off the Clock by Laura Vanderkam. My biggest take-away from that book was the idea of intentions vs. goals. For me this was a huge shift. If my goals got sabotaged by life, I felt like a failure. However, if my intentions got swept aside by circumstances, it was just a change of plans. The difference, for me, reflected the admonition in James 4:13-15:

Goals or intentions, it’s really just semantics. Well, semantics and the intention of the heart. It’s an acknowledgement that the Lord is the one who knows what 2021 will bring. It might be the accomplishment of things we work toward. It might be a huge curve in the road of our journey. Either way, we have to trust that Lord’s plan over our own. Trust that He knows the plans He has for us. That His plans are good and for our good, even if they obliterate any goals or intentions we’ve set.

But of course this doesn’t mean we do nothing. Instead, we plan and persevere toward the things we feel the Lord has called us to.

This year, my professional intention is to finish a new book. I intend to diligently pursue this intention.

But if God desires this to be (yet another) year of relational or spiritual growth over professional progress, so be it. For when I stand before Jesus one day He will not congratulate me on how many books I managed to write. He will (I pray!) commend me for being His faithful servant no matter how He decided that would look in my life.

So when I boil down all my goals and intentions, past and present, to their very essence, the ultimate goal of my life, both professional and personal, is to know and love Jesus and to follow wherever He leads me. This goal never changes, no matter how often the calendar turns over to a new year. And I cannot fail in its achievement, for the Holy Spirit continually reminds me of God’s promise that I am His child and He will not forsake me.

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

D'Ann Mateer

Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

Latest posts by D'Ann Mateer (see all)

  • Graduation Throwback - May 21, 2025
  • The Cheer Squad - May 7, 2025
  • Guest Post: Crystal Caudill - April 16, 2025
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...
«
»

Filed Under: Faith, Writing

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

LINKS IN COMMENTS

Please note: If you include a link or links in your comment (URLs or email addresses), your comment will not post right away. It will wait for a moderator to approve it, which may take some time.

Comments

  1. Lynn Austin says

    January 6, 2021 at 5:07 am

    Beautiful Anne. Thanks for this.

  2. Lauri Elrod says

    January 6, 2021 at 5:17 am

    Amen!Well said!

  3. Deborah Raney says

    January 6, 2021 at 5:56 am

    A good reminder for times like this and for a day like today. Thanks, Anne.

  4. Deena Adams says

    January 6, 2021 at 6:07 am

    Thanks so much for this encouragement not to allow the interruptions in life to cause feelings of failure when I don’t reach my goals. 2020 was certainly a year of interruptions. I like the idea of intentions and entrusting each day to God. It’s all foe Him anyway. Blessings to you.

  5. Anne L. Rightler says

    January 6, 2021 at 7:39 am

    That I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings–my intention is that this is my ultimate goal in life–sometimes I get sidetracked… The older I get, the more important my relationship with Him has become.
    Thank you for sharing. May you see His blessing in your life in the coming year.

  6. MS Barb says

    January 6, 2021 at 10:18 am

    GOOD WORD!

  7. Donna Howe says

    January 6, 2021 at 10:49 am

    Oh, so true. What a great reminder, so refreshing and freeing. He is in control, not I. Amen! How can we not get excited and joyful over this awesome truth! 👏 🙌

  8. Jen says

    January 6, 2021 at 11:52 am

    Thank you for that important reminder that God is always in control!

  9. Angela says

    January 8, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    What a blessing- thank you for sharing your heart. God bless.

Search Site

Monthly Archives

Blog Categories

Recent Posts

  • Home Again May 28, 2025
  • Garden Time May 27, 2025
  • Decade birthdays May 26, 2025

Disclosure

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the pages on this site may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, someone will receive an affiliate commission. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Copyright © 2025 Inspired by Life & Fiction | Website Design by Robin

%d