A month ago, a friend challenged me to seek the Lord and Name the Year with one word I wanted to carry with me throughout 2013. Although it's only January 8, the word I chose
--GRATITUDE--
has already changed my attitude from stinky to sweet many times. For instance...A restaurant we tried for the first time had stale coffee and gave me white bread when I ordered wheat. I did not complain and send my sandwich back. Instead, I thought, "I have food to eat. I'm grateful for that. Many people in the world have nothing."
When my typical Sunday morning depression attacked, I walked over to the church building next door (my husband is the pastor), and paced around, thanking God that we have a church to worship in, and a government that doesn't prohibit our freedom to worship.
When I was exhausted from 10 days of company, I thanked the Lord that I have a healthy family who loves me and each other. In my flesh, I can find something to complain and grumble about faster than a frog can flick-catch a fly on its tongue, but naming my year is helping me focus on the blessings of God instead of the potholes in the road.
Would you like to name your year? If so, what word would help you make your attitude sweeter?
I like your word gratitude. I think I would have to put it on my refrigerator door, so as not to forget :)
ReplyDeleteHhmm, my word? JOY. I cannot and will not loose my joy, because I cannot and will not loose my strength. There is no joy in the world, so it is my chance to shine :)
Great one, Marja! Thanks for sharing it.
DeleteYour word and mine are very similar in that mine is thankful. There is so much we have that we take for granted, blessings freely given and never appreciated. I'm determined to be actively thankful. I love how you are demonstrating it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelly. Looks like we're on the same page!
DeleteYep! I have MY word, too. In fact, kept the same one as last year! THIS year, I'm going to write it beside each day's date on each journal entry. Maybe I'll "do" better than last year....
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Rebecca. But what IS your word?
Delete:) Guess you'll just have to visit my blog to find out!
DeleteLove your word! Mine is REJOICE!
ReplyDeleteOooh, that's wonderful, Loree!
DeleteYours is a good one. I am going with "reflective" in hopes that I can slow things down a little, be more thankful, and recognize the beauty that is around me better this year.
ReplyDeleteI should do that too, Slamdunk. I need to sit quietly more often.
DeleteLove your word. My word is healing.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanette!! Love your word.
ReplyDeleteConsistant. That would be my word. I know it's a little odd but in the bible we are taught to be patient. The true definition of that is to remain consistant. In spite of people or circumstances I pray to remain consistant in my faith, love and hope.
I really like this post, Jeanette. I had never heard of "naming your year" before. I think I'll need to give it some thought. I really like your word.
ReplyDeleteI think gratitude is a wonderful choice. It is so easy to be discontent with our surroundings. I can get that way fast. I feel so blessed this year to be home, even though I'm not in my own hours, I am here among friends and family. God is so good.
ReplyDeleteMine this year is "graciousness". I am definitely in the line of royalty when it comes to the use of Snark. SO I need to practice a little less of it and maybe infuse some grace into my words. :)
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2013 is GRACE. We receive grace from God and as His children we are to give grace to those we meet. It has helped me with my attitude to remember to extend grace to those I meet.
ReplyDelete