Word for the year……….
For many years, I have prayed about and come up with a “word for the year”. Yes, I do also write goals for the year! However, besides Bible reading, when the going gets tough and life is so hectic you can’t remember if you already took your morning vitamin or not, remembering “one word” is about all I can realistically hang on to some days.
In the past, I have had words such as “purpose,” or perspective, “When I get into a “situation” during the course of the year—by this I mean one of those times when I am overwhelmed, underwhelmed, very tired, very hurt, quite sad, exceedingly glad, or worried— I think of my “word.” I might ask myself something like, “OK, what is the best perspective in this particular situation for the long haul?”
“What is the perspective of the other person?”
“What is the worst thing that can happen?”
Or,
“Does this project I am thinking of taking on fit with my life purposes? Or am I taking it on because of guilt or trying to please someone?”
“What is the purpose of this project?”
“Does volunteering at my child’s school fit with my life purposes?” (It does.)
“Does accepting to also work on the PTA fit with my life purpose?” (It does not.)
“Am I living my life on purpose, or am I letting others set my agenda for me?”
For 2010, after praying, I have chosen the word, “Present.” Ana Stine talked about this in one of our blogs and I have also been impacted by some Brennan Manning books dealing with this topic. I do really want to live in the present.
I don’t want to keep looking back and mulling over the past. (Mistakes, problems, things I wish I would have said, things I wish I wouldn’t have said….) I don’t want to look to the future and not enjoy and notice what is happing right now because I am pre-occupied with what will be happening tomorrow or the next day (or the next year).
God, help me live in the present! I want to enjoy the now. I want to notice what is right in front of me. I want to laugh with my children and listen about Transformer toys and fish, and frogs.
Enjoy the present!
Blessings,
Thora
Would anyone else like to share a word for the year they have chosen?
Thora,
That is funny you mention a word, because I usually get a verse from the Lord that I can hang onto. Sometimes a word.
This last year has been a very tough year and the verse: “See Ye the Kingdom of God first…” has helped me to stay on track when I just wanted to think about everything that has happened. Stuff you just can’t wrap your mind around. I kept remembering if I could just see HIS face then He will take care of the rest. It worked!
This year’s verse is 1 Peter 1:6 “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead!” I am truly excited to see what He is going to do with this verse! What a wonderful thought that hope and joy is what I can expect.
Blessed,
Tanja
I love how God moves in so many of our hearts in a similar way!
I had 2 things pop up while I reflected on this past year and in my prayers for the next.
The first one stems directly from a message you gave dear Thora.
To be ” UNOFFENDABLE”.
When that idea finally got through to me it was like a light lit up inside of me… and truth was revealed.
The truth about how much offense I willingly take and how it completely de-rails me.
In my marriage, with family members, with friends and as a mom. It leads me to become depressed and over think things that simply need to be changed through my taking a thought captive or laid it down at the Fathers feet and let Him be my defender.
In either case that is was a CHOICE I was making really struck home!
The other is to live in the moment. I have felt pretty grateful for God’s strong impression on my heart to enjoy my children while they were home.. but as our eldest is getting ready to leave in a little more than a month to serve in the Navy, it is now more than ever something I never want to take for granted. I am so happy to have all the time and moments with my wonderful children and husband that are the foundation of my life after God.
I am shocked though that I am wooed from time to time and forget this and have to re dedicate myself to living in the moment, enjoying the day.
Blessings and Happy New Year
Rebecca T
Mine this year is “dependable”. People know they can count on me, but it’s always in my own time (I’m always late!)and in my own terms. I really want my yes to be yes and my no to be no, like Jesus said we should act. I want to stop not doing things or not doing them on time, just because it isn’t easy or convenient. Pray for me please. One of my goals for this year.