A Word of the Year Do-Over

It is now January 4th and I still have not chosen my word for 2015. Is there a time limit on choosing? Who sets the rules? No and me.

The week before Christmas, I prayed for the Lord to reveal a word to me. The next morning, I received a Christmas gift from a friend. It was a plate that had the word "SHINE" written on it. I had just used that word in a sentence the day before, so I thought, "There's my answer! Shine it is."

To "shine" means "to glow forth or glow with light; shed or cast light, and to be bright with reflected light; to glisten; to sparkle" (from dictionary.com). A year to shine for Jesus. Sounds fun and sparkly. But I'm not sure.

Shortly after Christmas I was writing in my prayer journal and writing what I felt God was speaking to me. As I was listening I saw a giraffe and some sheep. I felt God told me I was like a sheep, and I shouldn't try and be like a giraffe. Sheep follow their shepherd. They don't try and figure it out all on their own; they are incapable of doing so. They are simple.  

I thought "simple" would be a great word. A reminder to only look towards my shepherd and not to listen to any other voices. I looked up the meaning of the word; "easy to understand; not elaborate or artificial; plain; not ornate or luxurious; unadorned; unaffected; unassuming; modest; and not complicated"(dictionary.com). All good things. But I'm not sure.

Last fall I had made a small flock of birds to sell for a fundraiser to help support a friend who was in need. They all sold, but nobody picked this guy and he was left on my shelf, all alone, for a couple of months. There was just something about him that didn't look right.

before

Then, the other day, a friend asked if I had any of my birds left for sale. I only had this same guy, but I didn't think he looked good enough to sell.  I took a long look at him and decided he needed a do-over. So I gave him a beak-job. Much better, don't you think?

after

Sometimes we have to go back and correct things before we can move forward. I feel like my word from last year, "overcome", still needs to be tweaked and worked with.  I still have much to overcome, and by the grace of God, I will. I believe "overcome" will be my word again in 2015. 

However, since I am making the rules, I am asking "shine" and "simple" to join me as I "overcome" this year. I bet we'll make a great team.


"And those who are wise—the people of God—shall shine as brightly as the sun’s brilliance, and those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever".  Daniel 12:3 (The Living Bible)


Linking up @

http://arabahjoy.com/loft