On choosing one word

It's that time of year again.
I'm not a resolution type person,
there are too many goodies to finish off yet.
But I do like the One Word 365 movement.
And the idea of having a word for the year appeals to me.

Past words have been BREATHE
(always a good idea...)
CONTENT
as opposed to happy.
But as I approached the end of 2015
I realised I couldn't remember what my word had been.

As I looked back I realised my word could easily have been
frustrated,
shocked,
disappointed
or gall-bladder for the first half of 2015.
Closely followed by
surprise,
trust
or settle in the second half.

Then yesterday I remembered...
My chosen word was FREE.
Interesting....
because even though I'd forgotten my word
I had lived it over and over.

In choices and decisions.
In prayers and petitions.
In an Abraham and Isaac moment
where I put my all on the altar in order to be free,
and at the last moment God showed me a ram in the thicket.

So maybe it's not so much about choosing a word
as a word choosing me.

This year's word is EMBRACE.
When God gives you a new set of people to lead and minister to;
And at your Welcome Meeting He says
"These are your people, care for them,"
it makes sense.
And I find a hug speaks when words fail.
But also the idea of embracing all that life offers me
with arms wide open to receive.

This morning God also gave me the word SAVOUR;
which fits with EMBRACE
but also implies a lingering...
a not-rushing...
a pause.

So that's me.
And my word.
What about you?

If you're not sure,
why not ask God directly?

If nothing comes to mind, give it time.
Jot down a few words that you like the idea of.
See if a theme develops in songs on the radio,
TV programmes,
books, magazines, conversations...

Wishing you a year of blessings and hope.
If you need me I shall be snuggling and eating,
practising embracing and savouring.

Happy 2016!


Comments

Gill said…
As always, lovely but challenging thoughts Karen. I'm going to seek out my word for 2016 xx
3 January 2016 at 20:28
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