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I love words…. words to encourage, to give hope, to bring a
smile. In my home, on my walls and in my
art, one can find an apt word. On my
mantel is Believe; In my breakfast room-You are Loved and gather
dress the top of two of my windows; A rescued old mirror etched with so
thankful,
count your blessings and oh so loved hang above the refrigerator. This is just the hem of the garment when it
comes to the affirmations and encouragement in our home. You can find words like hope, live, love and
laugh, joy, quotes from scripture and songs, sayings and truths. The words find a place in my home and in my
heart.
When the calendar turned the page to January 1, Words began
popping up everywhere. Questions such as
“what’s your word? Have you chosen a word? How do I choose a word? Can somebody
please choose my word? could be seen on Facebook. Artful pictures, calligraphy
letters of words already selected were popping up on Instagram. It seems as if the Word of the year is now a movement,
an avenue to help focus our minds and thoughts and ultimately our actions. With the new year, I knew I needed a new
word, a fresh focus. This year I wanted
a word that would speak to me daily. A
word that would easily be on my heart and my mind. One that would help focus and start my day,
give me direction but would also bring my joy.
I began the journey of discovery. I read lists and lists and lists…so many good
words but there wasn’t just one word that could convey what I wanted. So as with my love for words, I chose three little
words that would focus my day…Clean, Create and Calm
Clean – each day,
something to clean out and clean up – maybe a drawer, cabinet or closet. Just one thing to bring a little more
clarity.
Create- each day,
find a little (or a lot of) time to spend in the studio, the sewing room or
wherever I can give a little time to the art that fills my heart with joy,
Calm- each day find something
that brings calm, whether reading for a few minutes outside, sitting with my
girls in wonderful conversation, crochet a few rows or spend a few minutes in
prayer.
When I finally decided on these three little words, I wanted
to see if I could choose a scripture to add to my word journey. One that would keep me centered not just on
the words but on my heart as well… I think I found it....
Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a steadfast
{calm} spirit in me.
Psalm
52:10
Have you found your word(s) for 2018? I would love to know what you chose and why? Words from our heart can give us hope and healing; promise and purpose; love and light. I hope your words bring these and so much more in the coming year!!
Until next time,
Find joy in the journey as you discover the words that stir your soul and make your heart happy
I couldnt come up with one word. So I also came up with several words. Grace,Light,Purge,Simplify and drum roll................ STOP OVERTHINKING
ReplyDeleteI will have to find scriptures to go with my words. I like how you did that.
Sunny
Chantal, I truly admire your example. My lifetime motto is Proverbs 3:5-6, "5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I started a Journey into Healing my heart in 2001. Since that beginning, a prayer asking the Lord to show me who I am, how He sees me, because I didn't know who I was. I believed in man and their opinion of me, more than I did of Him. Because of this I HAD to live this Proverb. Over these years, I have learned who I am, and what I am made of....and.... I have learned that it is always better than I can dream or imagine if I follow this advice. When important decisions come into my life I ask for His guidance and decisions. They are not always the most popular decisions with "man" yet they are always the BEST decisions I have ever made. With all of that background, I have been choosing a Word of the Year for about 5 years. Correction, I do not choose, they are given to me. My word this year is Integrity. I have a struggle with weight, and loving myself enough to do what it takes to honor this body. Last year I wanted my body to match how good my soul felt and I started on a journey to do just that. I lost 50lbs. in 2017, leaving 100 more to loose. At the end of the year, I had decided my word for 2018 was determination. I needed MORE determination to continue to exercise and loose weight. My friend and personal trainer said to me at the end of Dec. "have some integrity for yourself, and send me a list of your weekly goals, monthly goals, 3 months, 6 months and one year goals." That word Integrity hit me upside the head like a ton of bricks. I immediately thought, ha, I do have integrity, I stand up for truth. But do I have enough Love and Integrity for "myself" to do what it takes to get my body into the same shape as my soul. Determination is a good word for me, but Integrity stabs me a little deeper, with even more determination to do His will. I just LOVE how He works. The Scriptures that speak to me are: Psalm 41:11-12: "By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. 12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever." Phillipians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." and 1 Peter 3:16. "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."
ReplyDeleteI know not many people use the King James Version of the Bible anymore - it is a bit harder to understand. I love it because i love the respectful and reverent language that is used, and it is the language I try to use as I address my Father in Heaven. I also feel that it is the least "watered down" from "mans" translations. I use a other versions, yet I am always led back to the KJV, so there ya have it! Thank you for the opportunity to share this. This is going to be a GREAT 2018! Love and Hugs, Kim