I'm reading my friend Rachel Olsen's book My One Word that she wrote with her pastor, Mike Ashcraft who started doing this each year with his church Port City Community Church in Wilmington NC. He saw such a tremendous response that he asked Rachel to help him turn the concept into book form so he could share it on a larger scale. Years of wisdom and stories from people about their One Word experiences are in this book. I raved about it so much that my husband bought it for his Kindle because I wouldn't share my copy.
It took me awhile to pick my word for the year. That's never happened before. Usually the word comes to me and I just know that's the right one. (Two years ago was JOY and last year was DELVE)But this year I had about ten before I finally settled on one that I thought best encompassed all the thoughts bouncing around my head: LOVE. Be a better, more intentional mom who cares more about feelings than rules? Love. Serve people well in my work, be it readers of my books or patrons of She Reads? Love. Be a more affectionate and attentive wife? Love. Reach out to others in vulnerability? Love. Grow spiritually? Love. You get the point.
I always like to pick a verse to go with my word and this year I've picked I Corinthians 13:1: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."
Things I Want To Get Out Of My Word This Year:
A better grasp on God's love for me.
Stronger relationships.
Learning to speak in love.
Putting action behind my love.
Look at all aspects of life through the lens of love.
I loved this quote from My One Word:
"We drift into the patterns of our lives unintentionally, because we don't have anything else training our view. Your one word can frame your view of this year. Train yourself to look through it." (p.112)
I'm very grateful for the one word concept. It certainly has helped me set a goal for myself that feels doable instead of long lists of overwhelming resolutions. It's not too late this year to take part and choose a word of your own!
2 comments:
I'm participating in a scripture memorization project this year, and for my first scripture, I chose a verse that could also serve as a goal for the new year. I chose I Corinthians 16:14 - Let all that you do be done in love. (NAS) I haven't read My One Word yet, so I didn't choose a word for this year. But maybe I should get the book and let love be my word for the year.
I chose the word BELIEVE. It has been two years since my husband of nearly 20 years died suddenly in front of me and our three kids ages 10,6, and 9 months. I am trying so hard to believe in a greater plan, believe in a reason for this life, believe in prayer, believe that some good could come from my struggle. My goal this year is to really work hard to BELIEVE. It is so hard to do.
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