Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Together.

For those of you who don't know, at the start of a new year, many bloggers like to choose a single word that will stand as a goal or anthem for the coming year. I've played along for the past couple, each time asking the Lord to give me a word that I would need, that would help my focus throughout that year.

In 2011, He gave me "Look," because apparently my eyes were closed to His work in my life and in those around me. It was a perfect word, and truly helped me see a bigger picture when challenges came.

In 2012, God gave me "Hope," because He knew I'd need that word, over and again (even though a lot of times, I'd read the word back to Him with a furrowed brow and a question mark at the end.)

This year, well, today, which is January 1, 2013, He gave me a new word. And He gave it to me through this.


I took this photo today with my phone. It was cold; I left my sweater in the car and was near to shivering. But kids, you know how beautifully wild they are. They had to go in, had to partake in the wildness of the sea and I know better now not to prohibit them, but instead to let the natural consequences of discomfort later teach a lesson if one needs to be taught at all.

My daughter, the hot-blooded fish that she is gets pulled to water magnetically. It's just in her, so I didn't bat an eye as she soaked her jeans well up past her knees. They both literally frolicked in the whitewater like ponies on a spring day.

A while later, after a stroll, the kids, my husband, and I perched on a rock overlooking the water dotted black with surfers. We had a little family meeting. We talked about the coming year and the potential adventures on which the Lord might have us embark. "No matter what," my husband promised, "we'd be together."

This afternoon, I stared at this photo on my phone. And then I heard, or rather saw, the word again: together.

I like to tumble thoughts over in my head again and again until I'm familiar with their shape and I've pressed through each corner. "Together" was not only to mean the four of us in my family. "Together" was God and I. Hand in hand. Staring at the tumult, the chilling tide and threatening clouds of tomorrow. "Together" was peaceful and strong despite stinging discomfort.

Tonight, the thoughts tumbled still, and I searched the Bible for a phrase in my head until I landed on this verse.

I have set the Lord always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8

And what else is there to say?

The waves of 2013 will come, and perhaps I'll feel alone. Perhaps God knows that. And so, on Day 1, He speaks to me his friendship, his unfailing companionship. He says, "No, no. You will not be alone, my daughter. We will be together."

Together, my family and I will follow the Lord and say Yes to life's adventures.

And together, God and I will stand peaceful and strong.

Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Happy New Year.


{and pssst...do you have a special word for the year?}


Photobucket

11 comments:

  1. I did a post on that yesterday. You can find it here:

    http://fairdalediaries.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-welcome.html

    My word is 'Do'

    Happy New Year - hope you and your family are blessed in 2013!

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  2. together is a great word. i love how it landed on your heart. i have yet to find my word. i'm still searching, certain god will give it to me when the time is right. let us have eyes to see:)

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  3. i love the word God has given you. at first looking at the picture I thought that it was geared towards your family and you (which i'm sure will apply as well) but reading on about it meaning more for you and God and how it spoke to you, my heart skipped a beat.
    i love knowing that God is with us at every moment. may He shower your family with blessings this year!

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  4. just blogged about my word...Ready.

    I love yours, especially the pic that goes with it...you need to frame it!

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  5. Together...that's so good.

    To be honest, 2012 was pretty difficult and 2013 is somewhat intimidating. I need to sit and meditate, but there is so much on which to reflect that I get a little nervous. I should probably put on my almost 40 big girl pants and do what I know I need to do.

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  6. i love the verse you've chosen to go with your word. that is a powerful piece of scripture.

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  7. Just found you via Casey. Love your writing. Great word and advice for the new year! :)

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  8. Love, love, love this post. That picture is amazing! So inspiring.

    My word is "joy," I wrote about it here, http://raisingmenfindingme.com/2012/12/30/joyful-aspirations

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  9. Wow. What a beautiful post. What a writer. Thank you for sharing your story....your life. You truly have inspired me. Thank you.

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  10. Your blog is just filled with inspiring words (: I'm so happy to have found your corner!

    -Alynne
    www.designedtoloveblog.com

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  11. i absolutely love this and am thrilled to be your newest follower!

    love & light.
    xoxo.

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