one word 2013

and just like that, we come to the end of another year.
it hardly seems likely.
yet most probable.

and when we began this year, i quite took to this idea of choosing a word.
a word to roll around with, play with. . . focusing more on the being rather than the doing.
and, of course, most of you cannot know how important that distinction is for me.

UNFURL was my word for this past year,
and i picked it as much for its feel
as for its meaning.

how it felt and moved
the images it produced. . .
an utterly bared soul.

but walking right along 'side that
were sails wide open
full of the very breath of God
receiving the richest of mercy and grace
all power and energy and push
to glide me thru the waters of life.

what a year it was.

well, it was dramatic, and it was soul-searching and
it was life changing and all those things it should be and
it most certainly was as serious as a word like UNFURL
should be but it also makes me want to giggle as, in fact,
i do whenever i talk about it too much,
BUT again, what an amazing year it has been.

and God completely undid me in the unfurling.
{and that IS no laughing matter, if i even dared}
but now. . .

but now--now it comes time to say "good-bye."
and time to pick another word
to welcome the coming year.

and it's only being
all bare-behind naked with not even shame left for a covering
that i can fully embrace this next cloak He gently drapes over me::

fearless: to cast all my cares upon HIM.
fearless: to be anxious for nothing.
fearless: to be content in ALL circumstances.
fearless: to no longer attempt to control outcomes . . . that i cannot.
fearless: to write authentically, honestly, for HIS purposes.
fearless: to accept His delight in me.
fearless: to show that delight to others around me.

and so i welcome the new year. and wish you a "happy" one as well. whatever that quite means? rather, i wish you a "well" one. that you would be well within our Lord. well within your soul.

2013? bring it on. i am ready. . . whatever it may hold. {you hear the fearless in me talking already, right? . . .}





reflecting upon the blessings of these past months. there have been so many::
468. truth upon truth, shown through family, friends, and the teaching of the Word.
469. the community of our homeschooling tutorial that we participate in. priceless friendships that endure.
470. job stability when so many are experiencing hardship.
471. the ability to give of various resources.
472. hubby & kids who remind me each and every day why i love life so much.
473. a long-awaited visit from my sister for the Christmas holiday.
474. anticipation of relief from pain.
475. friends who bless me with their generosity in ways that i am so not gifted :-)



sharing this post with friends over at Jen's and Ann's this week.