There’s a challenge going around some blogging circles:Â identify the one word God has put on your heart for the new year.
At first I thought it was just a twist on making a New Year’s resolution. I’ve already told you my thoughts on that this year. As I thought about it some more, I decided that maybe it was different after all. I decided to pray about it a bit.
Persevere. That’s the word that kept coming to mind. It didn’t take me too long to decide that needs to be my 2011 word. It’s much more of a motto than a resolution for the year.
As I glanced to what I know is true about 2011, a few things needing perseverance rise to the surface. If history holds true, I will be tempted to give up, peter out, or just do a few things half-heartedly. The following are a few things I’m certain will require perseverance:
– Physical Therapy My doctor has promised this Achilles tendon repair is going to be a long, hard journey. While neither my leg or my bank account are looking forward to the rigors of physical therapy, I’m looking forward to walking again. I’m looking forward to walking correctly.
–Weight Loss I made a good start this fall and was sidetracked by my immobilizing injury. I need to get back at it. So far it has been the story of the first half of my life. I hope I can lose the weight and establish healthier habits so it doesn’t have to be the story of the second half.
– New Summer Schedule No, my summer won’t be any less crazy. It will just be differently crazy. I have to revamp my curriculum, recruit and train new interns, find new housing options for them, get used to a new way of doing things. My tendency is going to be to start working on it and get side tracked till the situation starts to become desperate.
– Stewardship Not only do I have to make good choices with my time, talent and treasure, but I need to continue to write about it and challenge others to be good stewards. Most days, I’d rather not. Generally it’s not an easy thing for me to discuss; I need to change.
I’m sure God will surprise me with other areas where I need to persevere this year. He has a way of doing that.
What’s your word for the year?
photo courtesy of Jerome Bouvier
I’m participating in Faith Barista’s Faith Jam. Every week she’s asking other bloggers to “jam like musicians” on a faith related topic. Today’s post is my riff on “The one word God is putting on your heart for the new year.” If you’re interested in the notes others added to this Faith Jam, go check out her site and follow the links.)
15 responses to “One Word”
ENGAGE. Engage with my children and my husband. Engage in the work God has put before me; don’t just stand by as an observer. Jump in and do it!
I love it, KT! That’s a great word.
Trust- that no matter what this year will hold, God is controlling it all and he is faithful and worthy of my trust.
Persevere. The achilles tendon recovery is a challenge because it is long.
Keep sharing the journey and know you are not alone. We all have our “achilles tendon” and seeing you step through it is of great encouragement – esp. as you share with honesty and with the “Sheryl” perspective, which I’ve come to enjoy. 😉 *hugs*
Allie—so true! What a great year for all the transitions that are ahead of you. I know some of them won’t be easy, but I know God is trustworthy and as you walk with him, he will see you through. PS—thanks for checking back after all the snafus on my site in the last 24 hours.
Bonnie—thanks for the encouragement. (I feel like I always say that to you—but it’s wholeheartedly true.) I know this recovery is going to be a long one. I know God will see me through it—just as he will with each of us and all the repair we need. As much as I wish I were on the other side of it, I’m curious to see what lessons God will help me extrapolate from it.
Oooo. I like this! I think my word will be Remember. Remember how far God has brought me, Remember who I am, Remember what I want to acheive, Remember how I felt in the moments when I was really happy or really glad or even really sad, Remember what matters and what doesn’t matter, Remember what time and space can do (perspective!!). Yep.
Love it, Sara! What a powerful word! It’s so easy to lose sight of all those things . . . remember is perfect.
That’s so funny, this topic seems to keep popping up in my mind and in things I read, the first time being a magazine from 1998 I think.
I guess my word is more of a phrase: “Learn to be Yours (that is, God’s)” I’m not quite sure what it means yet, but I want to learn to belong to God.
Great phrase, Lauren–and a wonderful goal. I can relate that doing that is challenging. I’d love to hear how you’re doing it throughout the year.
Great!!!! Made me stop and think about what I need to do. Thanks. Love ya
You’re so welcome! 🙂 Love you, too!
Oh I am so sorry about your tendon. Thank you for stopping by my site and encouraging me. Persevere – I like that word. It actually came up at church today about keeping going and enduring. Know you are not alone. I will be praying for your recovery.
Thanks for coming by here, Katie. I love being part of the Faith Jam and getting glimpses into other people’s lives and thoughts. Thanks for the encouragement that I’m not alone. I know I’m not, but it’s good to hear! Thanks, too, for your prayers for my recovery. I truly appreciate them.
[…] January I felt God gave me a word for the year–persevere. When I received that word, I knew it was going to be timely. I had physical therapy ahead of […]
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