My One Word

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.

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,

One Word: BE



For the past month I have been praying about my one word for the coming year. 2011's word was Obey. As I was reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the coming year, I realized that I am not saying goodbye to this year's word and the journey it brought me through, but adding to it and continuing on that same journey.

My word for 2012 is

Be.

2011 was alot about doing.

Taking the step He was asking of me.

2012 is more about being.

Just be the person He has created me to be.

Just be with Him.

Just be with my family.

Just be with my friends.

Just be with my small group girls.

Just be present in every moment He gives me.

So looking forward to all He has for me in 2012.

Happy New Year friends!

May the Lord bless you

and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you

and be gracious to you.

May the Lord show you his favor

and give you his peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 

One Word: OBEY

I have been spending some time this week looking back on the past year.

What a year it has been!

I really had no idea what God had in store for me. When He asked me in April to step out in obedience I didn't know anything about the second or third step. Just that first one and boy was it a doozy. When He asked me if I would obey and trust Him completely and get out of the boat, I just had to take that first step. And so began the journey.

I wish I could say that every day was easy, but they weren't. Some days were really challenging. There were times that I felt like Peter when he tried to walk on water and stumbled. But like Peter, Jesus held His hand out to me and pulled me back to my feet reminding me to keep my eyes on Him.

There have been days of doubt and discouragement. I have immersed myself in His Word. The place where He reminds me of the depth of His love and all He has promised me. His love letter to me. Those days when I have felt most alone is when He has drawn closer to me than ever before. I have learned to cherish my prayer time with Him even more. To treasure the times He whispers to my heart.

There have been days of great joy and peace. Where I am learning to rest more in Him and what true surrender really means. The gift that He has given me in time with my family and friends. Those moments when my sons say how happy they are to have me home and love all the time we spend together. When my husband says he loves having me here and already sees a difference in our boys and our home. The time spent with my friends over coffee where we talk about everything happening in our lives.

Someone asked me the other day if I would change anything. I wouldn't change anything in the journey He has chosen for me. I would like to be better at walking in it though. But the beauty of this time is that it doesn't end at the stroke of midnight December 31st. That just marks the beginning. The beginning of another year of walking with Him.

I am so excited to see where we're going this year!