Despite the fact that I was sound asleep at midnight last night, the new year has arrived. First order of business is to get rid of this nasty cold I've had for nearly a week. I didn't even make it 'til the ball dropped in NYC last night! Ah well, bring on 2014.
Along with a new year comes a new word of the year for me. This will be my fourth year focusing on a chosen word. I began with Trust in 2011, then Gratitude and last year, Strength. This year's word?
Hubby bought me these wood letters for Christmas which are just waiting for a bit of paint and then I will hang them in my studio where I will see them everyday. What a great idea! He's a keeper.
Anyways, why grace? Well, I have two reasons for choosing it (though, as I shared last year, often my reasons for a word and God's reasons for giving it to me don't line up. We shall see.)
1) Though I am aware of the incredible grace God gives me, I want to more fully embrace it and recognize it in my life. I want to stop beating up on myself every time I make a mistake (or at least forgive myself when I do beat myself up! There, how's that?).
2) I want to more freely show grace to others. I don't want to be so hard on people. And for me, it's not enough to just say or do the right thing in the moment, then walk away shaking my head.... I want to truly feel grace in my heart for others. This I KNOW can only come from God working in my heart.
So there it is. The challenge I am putting before myself this year. Do you have a word for the year?
I don't have a word for the year… I should think about this and try it once. I like to see the words that others have chosen though and read about why they have chosen them :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ellyn! Happy New Year to you and your family! Grace is an excellent word! What a lovely challenge! I may have to adopt your word! I sure could use it.
ReplyDelete"Grace" was my word in 2012! I can't say I made it to the grace big leagues, but I was mindful of grace during situation where I may otherwise have been to quick to act. Last year it was "Clarity," and although I haven't put a lot of thought into 2014's theme, I have a feeling it is "Patience." Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, yours is the third blog post in a row that mentions a word for the year. It's making me think that I need a word... But what to choose. Obviously this requires some serious thought. I love your word, however, and your reasons for choosing it. Amazing how sometimes words can transform us. I'm going to start searching for my word today. We'll see what I come up with. Thanks for the inspiration, and all the best in 2014.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better.
A great word! Looking forward to seeing how it manifests itself in your life this year.
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