Every year I am given a word of the year. I say given because I don’t look for the word it just seems to find me. In November while talking with Jesus he reminded me of the verse;
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Col 3:13b niv
Really? Forgive is to be the word in 2018?
I questioned this because I think I am a fairly forgiving person. Oh, I know I fall short when it comes to being forgiving. But I pretty much have put past offenses behind me and when I feel I have been offended or hurt now I try to put it to rest and simply move on. Look at those last two sentences and notice the words; pretty much, fairly, try. You can see that I haven’t mastered forgiveness. I am still an apprentice.
I looked up the word forgive and here’s what I learned:
I have some work to do!
Soon after I was given the word forgive I wrote this on my other blog, Patricia’s Place.
The sharp fragmented pieces wildly scattered about
have gathered as soft feathers to fill this soul
preparing it to soar in the heavens.
Then I decided I wanted my word of the year to be soar!
Well, that is not to be because in my next chat with Jesus I told Him my word was going to be soar. Yes, I can be a brat even to the Lord. I think He was laughing when He replied, “You cannot soar on wings like eagles when you are burdened with unforgiveness.”
So, forgive is my word in 2018.
Do you have a word of the year? If you do please share it in the comments.
Blessings this day of grace,
When I feel like I am going nowhere and doing nothing of any significance, feeling weak without strength and want to give up I sit on my balcony and look at the sky. Often while gazing at the heavens I think of the verse in Isaiah;
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isa 40:31
It always makes me feel better because I trust in the Lord and know that what He says to me is true. In my weariness, He will give me the strength to look forward and to continue on the path where He leads me.
Recently I wrote this in response to a challenge I joined on my other blog, Patricia’s Place
The sharp fragmented pieces wildly scattered about
have gathered as soft feathers to fill this soul
preparing it to soar in the heavens.
What a wonder it is to contemplate the day when the restrictions of this life will be replaced with the freedom of Heaven and we will soar high on wings like eagles.
Blessings this day of grace,
After you have prayed what are you thinking and what do you do? If you are like me when amen has been said that’s pretty much it for prayer time and the business of the day begins. But when amen is said is that the end of the prayer? Reading Psalm 5:3 has made me aware of a weakness in my prayers.
This verse tells me I fall short in a vital part of my prayer life. It tells me to wait expectantly. I can’t say I do. I know the Lord hears my prayers. I don’t doubt that and I do know prayers are answered. But do I wait…expectantly?
To wait expectantly is to wait eagerly and energetically, confidently and positively, and actively. To be honest, most often I simply wait; just the verb wait with no adverbs attached.
I guess I thought the active part of prayer was the praying but the activity doesn’t stop at amen. Maybe expectantly waiting is part of what pray without ceasing means.
Isn’t is it a wonder how He gets our attention? I was just reading a Psalm and a verse jumped out at me. A verse I have read many times before but this time it grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.
I wonder how many times I have missed something the Lord had for me because I just said amen and went on with my day not expectantly waiting for anything to happen?
Blessings this day of grace,
