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Friday, January 4, 2013

{HOPE}

One little word.

I kept seeing this idea popping up on several of the blogs that I read. And then, I realized that one of my favorite bloggers and authors (and a woman who has a huge heart for Christ) also used "one little word" to name her years. See more about her words here. Maybe while scouring her blog you'll decide to name 1000 Gifts along with me too, but that is a different post, more on that later.

When moving into the new year, the fresh, shiny, pregnant with opportunity 2013, I knew that I wanted a word from which to base my perspective. I wanted a ground zero with which to calibrate my thoughts for one entire year. I thought my word would be TRUST, I also knew that I wanted my word to be something that was not just a true north for my perspective, but also a word that was constantly refocusing me on Christ and His will for my year in 2013. I am all for a method that will will keep me focused on the positive and seeing the good, however, if it is not ultimately pointing me to Jesus then is not the positivity in vain? For only my own "feel good"?

As I prayed about the coming year in the familiar, weary, short, dark days of 2012 I realized that God wanted more from me for this coming year than just TRUST. I was already trusting, but more in an obligatory way and with an admittedly skeptical heart at times. Instead of just trusting, I realized that He wanted me to be trusting with enthusiasm, excitement and assurance that what He promises will come to be, that He really is working out the very best path for my life. So, HOPE was born. 

This verse was laid on my heart twice in a 24 hour period while I was praying and preparing for 2013. Often I feel like God must laugh at how blunt He has to be with me. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, (emphasis mine)


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2 comments:

  1. So gorgeous. I love everything about this...I will have to pray about what my word should be... And I also LOVE Ann Voskamp.
    So glad you've started blogging. I'm looking forward to many more good insights!

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  2. Thank you Caitlin! Isn't Ann Voskamp the best?? Keep up the good blogging work yourself, thank you for reading!

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