Friday, January 4, 2013

Word of the Year


Recently I was invited to a "word of the year" party. When I explained to Erik that this means we need to choose a word to focus on for the year, he decided his word is "beef."

Ok then. So I am excited to go purely for the fact that a) there will be other women there and b) we will be talking about something meaningful. These two things alone will get me almost anywhere. But before I go, I need to decide on my word.

My friend suggested thinking of something I feel like I need in 2013, or a word that maybe God keeps bringing to mind, something that won't get out of my head. Well, the word most often in my head is "overwhelmed" which is certainly not something I need. Maybe I need the opposite. What is that? Underwhelmed? Just whelmed?

I'm tempted to think that what I need is lots of warm fuzzy words like safe, comfortable. Chocolate. Who doesn't need chocolate? I feel like what I need is to not look around my house and see a million things to do. I feel like I need to be known, on top of things, competent, in a routine, loved, needed. And also, chocolate.

I've tried a lot of words on for size, but like most of my clothes shopping, something's always just a little off. I blame my hips. Well, for the clothing at least. But for the words, I realized that I go back and forth between wanting some word that will make me not feel messy or undone, and my strategy for that is either to go great guns and "get 'er done-ish" about life, or, if I feel it's insurmountable, I retreat to something like "rooted" or "fetal position." Or chocolate.

But can I be in between? Can I be in the midst of the mess and the undoneness with a whole heart? And what would that look like?

Content. It would look like being content. So that is my word. I want to be able to look fully in the face of my circumstances and say "yes" to what God has for me this year, whether my house be decorated to my satisfaction or no, whether I am known or not, whether I get into my groove or live one disheveled day after another. I want to receive what He gives me each day, each moment, with a contented heart.

Right after this word came to mind, I opened a Dove chocolate wrapper (that could be the framework for a lot of my sentences, "After I ____________, I ate chocolate") and the message inside said, "Take this moment. Enjoy it." and I thought, "That sounds a lot like contentedness to me."
Interestingly, this is not the first time God has spoken to me through a Dove chocolate wrapper. I guess He just plays the odds, "At some point today this girl is going to eat chocolate. That's when I'll get her."

I'm excited to see how God will use this word in my life this year. I hope at some point He chooses to use chocolate again to speak to me. I listen well when He does.

So if you had a word for the year, what would it be?


8 comments:

  1. Hello Gina Marie. :)

    My name is Cassandra and I found you through Missional Women. I've been reading through some of your previous posts and your other blog My Asian Life and I really like both so you'll be seeing me around.

    My word for 2013 is 'Praise.' My verse for the year is 'I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praises to the Lord as long as I live.' - Psalms 146 vs 2, NIV. I really feel the Lord calling me into a deeper praise life which I am looking forward to.

    Have a Blessed New Year and come visit!

    - Cassandra form Renaissance Women

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  2. Hi, Gina - thanks for finding my "word." I like content but the idea of a word being "chocolate" is so tempting! Look forward to following you in this new year.

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  3. Love me some chocolate too! Content was my word for last yr and it was awesome how God worked and is still working. One thing that constantly stood out was how I should never be content in my walk with Him. My word for 2013 is JOY!

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  4. can i choose words for my children? for Luke I choose "sleep". for John Paul I choose "home". for Isaac I choose "wise". for Lydia I choose "gentle". for Julianna I choose "faith".

    and for me, oh that's a whole lot harder.

    I'm going to be thinking about that.... expect me back later and share :)

    maybe 'life'? 2 Corinthians 4:10,1, 12

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  5. I chose words for mine! Just words that I hope will become more true for them, that I am praying into being.

    I hope you find a word that resonates. Maybe something from your new name?

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  6. Hi Gina,

    I just joined in on the One Word 2013 blog hop. I'm visiting from Create With Joy. You have picked a fantastic word to guide you into the new year! My word for 2013 is 'Embrace'. I hope you will stop by for a visit.

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  7. I used contentment a few years ago. I was amazed how much of life boils down to that little word. I chose two words: Less...and More. Less of me and more of God.

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  8. Hi,
    I have started a Wednesday's Word where I have links for those who want to write about what they have learned about God for that week.
    My Year word is LIVE but I look for one word each week as well in my "living".
    Please come and join us.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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