Word for the year: Breathe
I am a shallow breather. Rather than draw deep breaths from my gut, I inhale the least possible amount of air. I developed this habit during the years when I tried to be invisible. As with all forms of coping, it had a hidden price tag. This year, I resolve to take in all the air that I want–without feeling greedy or conspicuous.
Guiding Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7
“A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians and finally, you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.”
At 53, I’ve come to the conclusion that loving well apart from having a relationship with God is impossible. (And even with Him it’s pretty darn difficult!) Regardless of how much I want to love well, I continue to run out of steam (some days around 8:00 AM). Only by drawing from God’s well–consistently and throughout the day–do I have any hope of actually following through.
I am beginning to understand how my choices–perhaps particularly in the mundane, seemingly insignificant things–impact my ability to be present and love. Do I allow myself to grouse about the national economy and that snarky FB post or do I turn my gaze elsewhere? Do I resist that temptation toward gluttony or eat 20 chocolate covered almonds and assume it has no bearing on my emotional and spiritual well-being?
Peter’s words ring true to me. “Self-control leads to patient endurance and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love.” I need more of all four!
My Prayer
Help me to know you better God.
Help me to have more self-control.
Help me to live like your opinion of me matters most.
Help me to love.
Everyday.
Tune my ears to your frequency and give me the strength to obey.
Open my eyes to see others who need encouragement.
Resource me to serve and bring your kingdom to my little patch of earth.
Everyday.
(Photos: 1. Gloucester, thanks to family friends Becky and Patrick. this is a place where one can breathe. 2. Northern VT Place of sanctuary and prayer constructed by master carpenter Mark Dennison. 3. Also VT. Hospitality is a huge part of how we practice our faith. Mark and Tammy are some of the most generous and gracious hosts I’ve ever stayed with.)
Dorothy, great post! Not only the main message speaks to me, but also a smaller comment “Do I resist that temptation toward gluttony or eat 20 chocolate covered almonds and assume it has no bearing on my emotional and spiritual well-being?”. It is so true! sometimes I set a goal, do not carry through, and use that as evidence of how I lack “self-control”, “discipline”, “willpower”, etc. I am still learning to accept my own decisions and give myself more grace, while developing persistence in my goals. Not small issues after all.
Thanks EC. These days it doesn’t feel like anything is small. it’s all connected and all consequential.
My word for 2014: “Thrive.” Although “breathe” also sounds good.
I like that Carlene. It fits you. May it be true 364 days from now too.
Dorthy – Thanks so much for sharing this with so many who need words to express places in the heart that sometimes words escape. You continue to inspire, encourage and bring so much life forward with hope and honesty. Continue on, dear one.
I especially enjoyed the photos of one of the MOST peaceful restorative places I have known, coupled with the love of those who dwell there.
Bless you in 2014! I look forward to more 🙂
Thank you Victoria. And yes, you know that place in VT!
Thank you, Dorothy! What good words to start the year! May God bless us all richly with more self-control as a fruit of the spirit, which somewhat counterintuitively FREES US UP to function more in line with how God designed us to function. Indeed, BREATHE! 🙂
Oh, Dorothy, the idea of you breathing deeply without reservation gives me joy. I bless you to do that in 2014!
Me too Melody. Me too.