The more I thought about it, the more intrigued I became. I'm a 'wordy' person, and to think of focusing/chewing/meditating/pitching my tent over only one word was fascinating.
It also made me realize how 'shallow' I've become in my thinking.
For instance: I have been choosing to share something I'm grateful for each day on this blog.
So far, it has dealt with 'things'.
But just putting this one-word idea into practice for one short day makes me realize how very little I've dug into this 'grateful' thing--choosing, instead, hum-drum things. Not that hum-drum is wrong. A whole lot of life is just that, hum-drum, and etceteras. But I wonder how different I might see things if I chose to look at them through the eyes of gratitude?
God's word doesn't tell us to be thankful FOR everything . . but rather, IN everything. And I don't think He was meaning IN the house, In our fancy cars/boats/airplanes/ fancy jobs--you get the picture.
I think He means that while the pipes are frozen, the car is out of gas, I'm out of laundry soap, and there are three kids vomiting I need to practice the IN everything!!
And yes, that might also mean when a loved one dies, or walks away, when a child becomes prodigal or the boss hands you a pink slip . . . it's still the IN that matters.
I have a friend who has agreed to journey with me . . . not on the same 'word' boat--she will choose her own.
I also believe He wants to show Himself to me through this one little word. I know His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways not my ways. I want to partake of Who He IS with a heart completely given to thanksgiving.
But this coming year, 2012, I CHOOSE GRATITUDE.
Please hold me accountable.
And if you choose to come along . . . won't you let me know what 'word' you will be traveling with? Might we pray for one another?
Blessings
Great thought. I think my word should be positive. As in - I need to practice being positive. I tend to let negative thoughts snowball out of control and then they cripple me. It can apply to relationships, my writing, my appearance ... anything and everything. So that is my goal. I'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding, Peg!! How very good to hear from you. I will write your 'word' down in my journal and pray for you--hold you accountable--as I hope you will for me!! How exciting this journey will be!! Keep in touch. Hugs for the new year!!
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