Word for 2014- EMBRACE

EMBRACE
1. To take, clasp or enclose in the arms; to press to the bosom, in token of affection.

2. To seize eagerly; to lay hold on; to receive or take with willingness that which is offered

3. To comprehend; to include or take in

4. To comprise; to enclose; to encompass; to contain; to encircle.

5. To receive; to admit.

6. To find; to take; to accept.

(from Webster’s 1828 dictionary) 

As I've pondered and prayed for a word for the coming year,
this one embraced me.
Kind of snuck up and grabbed me, you know,
like one of those hugs that you aren't expecting,
but are thankful for once the initial shock is over?  

And as I sat with this word- embrace ... it fits.

  

It is time to embrace this life; this simple,
home-centered,
Christ-centered,
mama life that I live.  

The life that is messy and often loud,
crowded with people and projects that all vie for my attention,
sometimes all at the same time.

And also the life that calls me to slip away for solitude and silence,
time alone with my Lord and my pen and the page.

It is the year to EMBRACE who I am,
even if I have heard "You are something else"
too often for comfort lately ...
something else, well maybe I am, and I'm OK with that ...
especially since I'm not even sure what the comparison is ;) .  

So, here's to 2014- the year to EMBRACE
the something else that I am,
the journey I am on, the life I've been given,
my work in this world,
and the beautiful souls I am blessed to share it with.  

What are you embracing this year?

Do you have a word for 2014?  If so, I'd love to know what it is!

Prayers for many blessings this year my friends,

Catherine

(in)courage...What Encourages Me

What encourages me?

Words...yes, as in the familiar phrase... an encouraging word.

But, not just any words... they must be truth-filled, life-giving, living words. When I think of being encouraged or (in)couraged...the living Word, God's Word is first and foremost in my mind.
Words such as:

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Wait for the LORD;Be strong and let your heart take courage;Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, " Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27

Over and over the Word of God tells us to take courage!

These words are very (in)couraging to me.


The other words that encourage me are the stories of other women who have taken courage; who have overcome their own fears and failures to become wonderful, grace-filled vessels that the Lord uses to bless others.
These brave souls who share their stories are the encouragement for me to push past my own fears and folly, to tell my own story...and His; hoping that my simple words will encourage another seeker of Truth, another thirsty soul who needs a little living water poured out for her to drink, another sorely tried and soul-tired traveler, in need of a little (in)couragement.

But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well. Matthew 9:22

Be (in)couraged! He has overcome the world...He (in)courages!

Come, and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. Psalm 66:16

On Letting Go

In this post I shared a lovely idea for letting go, letting go of the negative thoughts, emotions, ideas that seem to pop up all too often in my life.



I did follow through with my plan last weekend. Here are a few photos:

Here is the spot I chose.

Here are my leaves, marked with things I chose to let go of.

And, here in the top left corner of this photo, are my leaves flying in the wind...down, down, down to the water below.

A good idea, and an enjoyable act, letting go. I walked away lighter after letting my burden of negativity fly away.

And yet, in the wee hours of this morning, I found myself once again struggling with the very things I had sent flying into the wind last week. They seem to have come flying back into my heart and mind.

But, today, this moment, I will send those things away for good. Perhaps I need to do what the original post suggested and burn them.

Yes, consumed by fire may be the answer. I think I am the one who needs consuming...by the fire of the Holy Spirit. When filled with that refining fire, surely any negative messages will be consumed in the fire of His Love. Yes, that is the answer.

Lord, today I ask that your Holy Spirit come and renew my mind, cleanse me and purify me, take away what is not of You; take away the anger, the fear, the hurt; take away my heart of stone and replace it with a heart filled with your Love.

More on the fire of the Holy Spirit: Leonard Ravenhill - Baptism of Fire

Trusting in His Grace,

Catherine

Simply Inspiring Idea

I enjoy reading the City Farmgirl Blog from Mary Janes Farm. Today's post, titled Letting Go was quite inspiring. I love Rebekah's idea which makes the act of letting go both memorable and tangible. Check out The City Farmgirl blog to read about it!

I am putting this idea into action today...a few leaves from the oak tree out front, and a visit to the lake later today........I can see those leaves floating down to the water from the cliffs above now! (What if one ends up in a fishing boat???....oh that could be funny.....can you just imagine some fisherman pulling out a leaf that says lose 10 lbs.!.....I could have some fun with that one, but I'm supposed to be letting go of negative things, not sending messages to clueless fisherpeople, I'll just stop thinking now ;).......) Perhaps burning the leaves in the campfire would be a better idea...