I have been praying about what my one word would be for the coming year.
First I needed to reflect a bit on my word for the past year...
Be.
Be still, and know that I am God...
Psalm 46:10
This verse resounded for me this past year.
It echoed deep in my soul over and over again.
Especially be still.
What I came to realize is that it wasn't just about being with Him,
but it was about being present in every part of my life.
In every relationship.
In every moment.
I just needed to be.
It is something that He is teaching me from day to day
and it is something I will be taking into the coming year.
My word for this year is...
Grace.
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I have been trying to put into words why this is the one word for me.
It all comes back to my life verse.
For it is by grace
you have been saved,
through faith—
and
this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8
God's grace is a gift.
Not something I can earn.
Not something I deserve.
Something He gives to me out of His overwhelming love for me.
I want to dive deeper with Him into that grace this year.
I want to offer that grace to others this year.
A gift received to then give away.
Ann Voskamp shared in her book "One Thousand Gifts",
Eucharisteo is giving thanks for grace. But in the breaking and giving of bread, in the washing of feet, Jesus makes it clear that eucharisteo is, yes, more: it is giving the grace away. Eucharisteo is the hand that opens to receive grace, then, with thanks, breaks the bread; that moves out into the larger circle of life and washes the feet of the world with that grace.
Here is a beautiful song by Shaun Groves - All's Grace.
After I heard it, I just knew that grace was the word for my year.
All's Grace from Shaun Groves on Vimeo.
I am so looking forward to all God has in store for me in the coming year.
What is your one word?
Happy New Year friends!
May the amazing grace of Jesus Christ,
the extravagant love of God,
the
intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit,
be with all of you.
2 Corinthians 13:14
Blessings,
Happy New Year, Wendy! Imagine the ways you will glorify God as you embrace the meaning of GRACE! Love your word; it remains mine, as well!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Paula! I so want to point to Him in everything I do. It is my greatest desire. LOVE that we are sharing this word in 2013! Blessings friend!
DeleteMy word is Hope. I am not sure why. Every year, when the Lord gives me a word, the "knowing" seems to develop as the year goes by. One thing I am seeing already about "hope" is that there is a lot more to the word than meets the eye. Hope can be known, and shared, in so many ways. May your year be filled with grace, and hope. :)
ReplyDeleteRoxana @ Four Eleven Rox
Oh Roxana I so know what you mean about God revealing so much more than we could imagine in just one word. That is exactly how it was for me this past year. LOVE your word...HOPE. Such a gift it is. Blessings to you in the coming year friend!
DeleteWendy,
ReplyDeleteYour writing is an inspiration to me. I love the verse "Be still, and know that I am God".
I also loved that I am saved by Grace. A few years ago when I was baptized again, and they asked what I wanted to say afterwards, what I said was "grace". I am grateful each and every day, that I am saved by God's grace. I am so grateful that it is not something that I have to earn, because I would never be able to earn it. I am a flawed human, but through God's grace I am saved. Amazing. Thanks for reminding all of us.
Have a blessed year.
Debi
Thank you so much Debi! How sweet you are! I have found that sometimes that expression of just one word is all that's possible and means everything. From one flawed grateful for grace sister to another...blessings to you in the coming year!
DeleteWhat a great word! Grace. I wrote about it in 2012 in Oct. for 31 days if you need some different perspectives. I can't wait to see what God reveals to you. My word last year was Master, but I have been sick and so I haven't written the end of it nor have I picked a new word yet. But, I want to...it is so good to focus on it when God gives it to you. So we will see. I will let you know if God gives me a new one. Much hugs and love to you!
ReplyDeleteWould so love to read your 31 days of grace series Dionne! I too an so excited for what He has for me in this one word...GRACE. So sorry that you've been sick. Praying you feel better soon. Looking forward to reading about both your word for 2012 and 2013. Blessings friend!
DeleteI have seen a few of these "one word" posts now. I think it's time for me to ponder what my word will be. Thanks for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteOh you should definitely join us! It's so much better than trying to make resolutions. :) Blessings!
DeleteI love your one word GRACE. So thankful for God's grace towards us. And your life verse is one I also love. Saved by grace, nothing we could do. Years ago, Zig Ziglar wrote that verse down for me in a book he wrote. He wanted to remind me of God's gift. My one word for 2013 is surrender.
ReplyDeleteDebbie so loved your post on your one word...so good. All things begin in the surrendering first. Blessings to you in the coming year friend!
DeleteLove your word..."Grace". I've got my choice narrowed down to one of two words.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much LuAnn! Can't wait to hear more about your word! Blessings!
DeleteWe were doomed without Grace. The best gift EVER. Stopping by from Tell me about it Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteOh yes we were...what an incredible gift! Thank you so much for stopping by Rebecca! Blessings!
DeleteI love your One Word!! My One Word is "useful" and I cannot wait to blog about this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! What a great word that has chosen you :) Can't wait to read what you have to share about it. Blessings.
DeleteBecause I just began blogging regularly this fall and connecting with other Christian bloggers, I'm a bit late to the one-word party (i.e., I just heard about it recently). I need to spend a bit more time in prayer about it, but I'm thinking my word will be "trust" for this year.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth...the first year I participated I was late too. Praying with you for your word...that He would put it deep into your heart and open it daily for you in the coming year. Blessings friend!
DeleteBeautiful post. You inspire. I was thinking about doing a word for the year. I began with a word for the month of December. I loved your post today. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
Sherry
Thank you so much Sherry! I loved the post you did recently encouraging others that they aren't alone. So good. Happy New Year and blessings to you!
DeleteWalking in His grace and seeing the beauty that is all around me is also something I am striving for this year. I am going to begin recounting my gifts this year! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteLove that we get to walk together in His grace sweet friend! Blessings and much love!
DeleteSuch a good word! My word for this year is NEW. It goes along well with Ann Voskamp's new focus on Forward this year, so I'm also going to start the 1000 Gifts Joy Dare, too. I'm really looking foward to it. I'm ready for the new me and the new thing that God is going to do in my life.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pilgrimwanderings.com
Good stuff here, Wendy. You are already such a picture of giving grace. I am blessed to so often be a recipient of your gift. Looking forward to going along with you. My word for this year is Create.
ReplyDeleteI like both last year's and this year's word. I think I'll adopt them!
ReplyDeleteGFC & Pinterest follower via Let's Get Social Sunday!
ReplyDeleteA perfect word to see 3013 through, my friend. Many blessings to you in the new year.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, It's been too long and I have missed you so! I hope the holidays brought you moments you will cherish always. <3
ReplyDeleteI didn't know my life verse was yours in 2012. It makes so much sense to know that now. So blessed to have you in my life! Happy New Year. Be blessed this year as He lavishes you with His grace.
I love the word grace. It offers so much. What a great word for 2013! My word is heart, I want a heart that mirrors God's.
ReplyDeleteJenifer
jenifermetzger.org
I love your word. It's what all this life is about. Without it, there's not much left, nothing eternal. Praise God for His grace.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how this word plays out in your life over this coming year. Wishing you all the best in 2013.
~FringeGirl
I enjoyed reading your post, and I love your word. Grace.
ReplyDeleteIm sitting still for just a moment..and absorbing that word. =)
My one word for 2013 is Faith, and I keep seeing it every day.
Melissa
http://readingnks.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-word-for-2013.html
Wonderful word
ReplyDeleteI saw you on the OneWord website, your word caught my eye because it also happens to be my name. I'm looking forward to seeing how it changes you this year, to watch your journey unfold. I read Ann Voskamp's book in 2012, and for the first time in my life I began to grasp the true Beauty, and complete Holiness in my name.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy. Grace is a beautiful word to concentrate on this year. I think of Romans chapter 4. It sums up beautifully that it is all about grace! I am a newcomer to this community and have chosen "Intentional".
ReplyDelete-Gilded Grace
Where did you get the one word for 2013 image, I've seen those other places & would love to know more!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachel from www.creativelyredeemingher.blogspot.com