ONE WORD

The presents have all been opened.  Precious relatives have returned home.  My excuse for binge eating has disappeared.  It is official...another Christmas has come and gone.  I feel full with contentment.  And yet, uneasiness seems to be standing on the sidelines whispering....work is coming, bills have to be paid, decisions need to be made, weight has to be lost, changes are coming...are you ready?  I am stuck between looking back over the past year with regret OR facing the unknown of the future filled with anxiety.  I stumbled upon a suggestion in a magazine article that has brought me a bit of peace.

In the January issue of Guideposts magazine, author Debbie Macomber reveals a yearly tradition.  She writes:
Every year I choose one word to focus on and live by.  These words have comforted me, challenged me and brought me closer to God.  They have changed me.  I've used them in my prayers, written about them in my journals, and discussed them with my friends. 

One year the author was struggling with her weight and she chose the word HUNGER.  When she was facing marital struggles she chose PRAYER.  She allowed those words to shape her daily walk with God and the lessons she learned touched every area of her life.  By the end of the article, MY WORD washed over me.  My anxiety was quickly replaced with a sense of awe and excitement about what God was going to reveal to me in the days, weeks, and months ahead. 

I began to ask the people in my life to reveal the word they would choose. Each and every one of them instantly shared what I believe was a need from deep inside of them.  The challenge is not coming up with the word, but is refusing to lose our focus when life begins to overwhelm us.  Write the word on paper and post it around your home.  Speak the word in your prayers and meditate on what it would look like if you allowed that word to change you. Open your heart to how God is speaking to you and really listen.

In 2012, whenever I start to lose my way I am certain that one word will put me back on the path of healing and discovery.  I will let you know what I uncover along the way....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

WHAT IS YOUR WORD FOR 2012?

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

I stood back to admire my creative vision. The lights were  magically twinkling, the cherished ornaments had been hung with love, and the professionally created bows sat atop the freshly cut tree.  I imagined sitting in front of a roaring fire and soaking in the peace and joy of the holiday season.  Even though I once again find myself facing a challenge in my world (big suprise) the tree represented the beaty that is always present even in the midst of struggle.  I curled up under a blanket on the couch and admired the vibrant reds and golds that sparkled....ahhhhhh.

From the catwalk on the second floor I glanced at my Christmas masterpeice and a wave of doom washed over me.  I angled my head and squinted my eyes to confrim the sad truth...from where I stood...without a doubt...the tree was leaning to the right.  A LEANING CHRISTMAS TREE!!!  Where had I gone wrong?  Was the tree heavier on one side?  Was it going to fall over and ruin all my glass trinkets?  Should I start over from the beginning?  Was it a tree defect that could not be fixed?  I walked away trying to calm my nerves and soon realized that from every other angle the tree was straight. It was only from that one specific spot that an imperfection was revealed.  I moved on to decorate the mantle and hang the wreath on the door, but somehow I kept going back to the one vantage point of the "leaning tree."  The days passed and friends and family came to visit. I would quickly point out to them that athough it might look like the tree was crooked it actually was fine if you stood straight in front of it.  Then I would place them in the exact location where they needed to stand in order to prove that what I was saying was the truth.

 Do you ever examine your life and make a list of all the things you wish you could change?  Do you catalog the relationships, thoughts, and emotions that don't line up with the vision you had for yourself?  I celebrate the fact that although I make a living as a teacher, it is the role of student that keeps me in a constant state of discovery.  We don't ever have to stay stuck in a place of pain or sadness.  Through the word of God, prayers, love, friendships, and rest we can get a fresh perspective on our lives. God can lead us to the place where we need to dwell in order to receive all of His riches. Just like that sad spot on the top of my stairs, we often go back to the same places that have caused us the most pain.  God desires to give us all a fresh look, a new perspective, and HOPE for our futures. 

For the rest of Decemeber you will find me in a darkened room sitting in front of my beautiful Christmas tree.  May you find the exact location that allows you to soak in the beauty that is ever present in your own life.