Grace 2023

One of my sourdough loaves that turned out pretty!

For the last decade or so I've picked 'a word of the year.'  For me, it has proven helpful to have a topical focus for each year.  God has chosen to use these words to deepen my spiritual growth and keep my gaze on Him.  The last two years...I've had Dwell & Abide and, amid deep suffering, God has used these words to keep me in His Word, for which I am deeply grateful.  

I had a real struggle choosing a word this year.  I started considering Hesed...due to my recent reading of Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mastery of God's Lovingkindness by Michael Card.  But, I decided it was a bit too wide and involved.  It would probably require a re read of the book and I have other books on my long list.

So, I then seriously considered Humility.  

This leads me on a bunny trail to explain a concern I have with this whole "choosing a word for the year" thang.  I have noticed it's led to a certain amount of superstition in the christian church and even myself.  It's ridiculous for us to think, 'If I don't choose difficult topics such as patience, humility, etc. than God won't refine and teach me in those areas.'  God is absolutely faithful to make us more like His Son.  He will focus in whichever areas He sees we need it most.  It doesn't matter if I'm in agreement.  Also, my fears on choosing difficult topics stem from a skewed or inaccurate view of Who He Is.  He is gentle and lowly...He knows all about me and yet desires to draw me close.  Any pain that he brings or allows is for my refinement, not my destruction.  So, all that to say...I didn't choose Humility (lol)...it was too scary.  But, God is still faithfully humbling me and working on crushing my Pride.  I would expect nothing less.

Where I landed for this year was Grace.  It seemed gentle and simple.  Boy, was I wrong.  I am currently just collecting ways I hear it used...and then I'm going to start parceling out what God's Word says about each.  It brings up interesting connections...ie. Grace/Mercy, Grace & Gracious, Grace-filled...I've already uncovered what I think are some incorrect uses or maybe just secular uses of the word...'giving myself or others grace'...'it's all grace'...etc.  It will be an interesting year.  It makes me thankful that I have decided to write again.  

Do you select a word focus each year?  Why or why not?  If so, what have you chosen and how can I be praying for you.

What are you reading? January Check-in

 

I have a new journaling bible...a new version to me...CSB.  It has a linen cover...it's hardback.  All of things are new and I'm loving it.  I haven't gotten a new Bible in a long time.  As I type that I think how incredibly blessed I am to have multiple bibles, in multiple versions, beautiful and marked with all I've learned by God's grace over the years.  He has done a lot through His Word in me.

Untangling Emotions by Groves & Smith -  this is a reread for me.  Our small group is going through it together.  I read it quickly a year ago, per my normal method.  It is a joy to read it slowly and with a trusted group of friends.  Their insights are very helpful to me in learning to love better.

The Fruit of Her Hands by Nancy Wilson - this is also a reread for me.  I try to read this annually because it's very helpful to my marriage.  Our marriage has undergone a lot of stress these last few years and all of the truths in this book help get me right side up and viewing things biblically.

Garment of Shadows by Laurie King - I love the Mary Russell series by this author.  Recently my hubby gifted me with the missing pieces of my collection so I'm re reading them.  It's been so long I can't remember exactly how they end and certain details.  I stayed up until 1AM finishing this so it goes down as the first completed book of 2023.  

30 Days of Humility by Crossway - A close friend is doing this with me.  I don't feel I have time to join a group study...but we're going through this bi-weekly.  I think it's silly how superstitious we can be about studying things like patience and humility as if it will bring trial into our lives.  As if God, who only gives good gifts, wouldn't decide we're getting lessons on it whether we 'choose' them or not.  Ha.  

If you happen to be in the blogosphere...I'd sure love to hear what you're reading.

HP: A New Year

 

1. Did you set any goals for the new year this time last year? Did you meet them or miss the mark? Tell us more if you're comfortable sharing. 

I am always setting goals...but the last few years have been such a blur of suffering and just surviving that I haven't kept up well.  I have survived (praise the Lord) and am just now beginning to feel like myself again.  I have made some new goals...all manageable.  I don't know that I've lowered my expectations but I've gotten more realistic.  I am hoping I'm learning to not hold on too tightly.  

I can't remember the last time

I smiled weightlessly, without worry

Faking it becoming my mantra

And pushing through second nature

But yesterday, I smiled 

all day

And I noticed it.

Slowly, joy is returning.

~Selina Bergey

2. What are three words that might describe the kind of person you were this past year or describe in some way how your life looked? 

Sinner, Sufferer, Saint....I've heard this used many times in counseling to help evaluate a whole person but this year I've examined each very personally.    I pray that this gives me greater compassion and love for others.

3. What's something new you ate, saw, heard, or experienced in 2022? What did you think? 

Caregiving.  

Always pray to have eyes that see the best, 

a heart that forgives the worst, 

a mind that forgets the bad, 

and a  soul that never loses faith.

4.  Oxford Dictionary has announced it's word of the year for 2022, and it's this-goblin mode. Huh? Have you ever heard this phrase? Used this phrase? It's defined as "a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations." 

This year they allowed the public to choose amongst three finalists. You can read more about that here. 

I would love to know what constitutes "the public"...I haven't even heard my young friends use goblin mode.  Gotta say the "unapologetically" part of this definition is unsettling.

If you were in charge, what word would you declare word of the year for 2022? 

I would choose Duolingo because our whole family has gotten into using this app. We are all learning different languages which has been hilarious and fun.  I am getting to the point where I'm going to need a real text book and some friends to practice with but the app is super fun.

5. Any special plans for an end of year celebration in your house or town? The travel channel says the world's best New Year's Eve celebrations will happen in Copacabana Beach-Rio de Janerio, the Orlando theme parks in Florida,  London, Sydney, New York's Time Square, Edinburgh Scotland, and Paris. If you could attend any one of these which would you choose? Tell us why? 

During the day we played lots of games as a family.  It was fun and relaxing.  Poor Em had her wisdom teeth out the day before so I made enchiladas.  I forget that they're so easy to make.  They turned out delicious.  We saved the fizzy sparkling grape juice for another time since she couldn't have carbonation yet and we didn't want to leave her out.  

I'd love to spend New Year's Eve in Edinburgh, Scotland.  It's a beautiful city at any time of the year...and the people are lovely.  I love following @mylittleedinburgh on Insta.  She makes me want to go back for another visit.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm sure I've said this before...but perhaps this year I will actually do it. ' I would like to spend more time in this space.'  Writing is good for me...cathartic.  So much has happened since my last post...after surviving a Stem Cell Transplant my Dad got Graft Vs Host Disease and passed away August 2021...my Mom was in assisted and living six hours away from me...my brother and I sorted and sold my parents home...and then in August of 2022 I moved Mom to live closer to me...the transition was bumpy even though a lot of careful planning was done beforehand.  And it continues to be an adjustment...I struggle to carry an enormous amount of responsibility without adding in self pity and selfishness.  Some days I fall on my face. Every day God picks me up...and carries me.