As is my new custom, a new year brings with it a new focus on one area or another. Previous years have found be needing to be reminded to "Be" what I am constantly trying to teach my children to be (kind, patient, considerate...etc), and learning to "enJoy" the messy, chaotic moments that make up the days of our life. It's not a resolution, necessarily, but rather more of a concentrated effort to recognize the times when I'm reverting to my normal ways and a gentle and consistent reminder to make a wiser choice. So where would I place this gentle and consistent reminder so that it would get the maximum number of views throughout the day? By the kitchen sink, of course! Every time I stand at the sink or walk through the kitchen I read this word and am reminded.
Back in November I began to consider what my word would be for 2012. Since I choose a word that will help me to focus on a character flaw that I see in myself you can imagine that it was hard to narrow it down! : ) But it was as I was reading through One Thousand Gifts (for the second time!) that I found my word.
Back in November I began to consider what my word would be for 2012. Since I choose a word that will help me to focus on a character flaw that I see in myself you can imagine that it was hard to narrow it down! : ) But it was as I was reading through One Thousand Gifts (for the second time!) that I found my word.
"Is it only when our lives are emptied that we are surprised by how truly full our lives were? Instead of filling with expectations, the joy-filled expect nothing and are filled. This breath! This oak tree! This daisy! This work! This sky! These people! This place! This day! Surprise!
C.S. Lewis said he was "surprised by joy." Perhaps there is no way to discover joy but as surprise?
The way the small live. Every day. Yes, the small even have biblical nomenclature. Doesn't God call them humble? The humble live surprised. The humble live by joy...
"God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth" (Matthew 5:5). The humble are the laid-low and bowed ones, the surprised ones with hands open to receive whatever He gives...
...What humbles like an extravagant gift? And in that place of humble thanks, God exalts and gives more gifts and more of Himself... and greater gifts of grace and even more of Himself."
Humble.
A wise friend once defined that word by saying that being humble did not mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
Humble.
Instead of tightly holding on with clenched fists to whatever it is that I believe will bring me joy (a full night of sleep. kids who don't fight. relationships that aren't hard. people who wipe their own bottoms. guaranteed "done" time at 8pm. a clean home. a maid.), I can think of myself less. I can remember that I am here only to love and I can let go of the extra weight of responsibility that I proudly attempt to carry on my own shoulders. I can humbly choose to help the toddler who has had yet another potty accident when I'd rather be reading our school book. I can play a game when I'd rather be getting laundry done. I can soothe a little soul when I'd rather be blogging. I can feed a hungry baby when I'd rather be sleeping. I can open my hands and accept the good gifts that he gives, whether they appear to be "good" or not.
Humble.
This one might take quite a bit longer than a year...
"My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not lifted too high. I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself. I am like a weaned child with its mother; I am content." Psalm 131:1,2