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December 29, 2011

Word of the Year

So...I'm going to be a copycat. This last year, I noticed several bloggers had picked one word that they wanted to focus on the entire year. I thought it was a neat idea and immediately thought of about 50 words that I could focus on, but I've finally narrowed it down to 1. My word of the year is....servant. This small word contains a lot of conviction and challenge, doesn't it? Why choose this word? The first and biggest reason is because after doing a Bible study of the word servant, I've come to the conclusion that this word best describes Jesus Christ, and after all, isn't that what being a Christian is about....imitating Jesus? My favorite book of the Bible is Philippians, and my second favorite passage in Philippians is:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, and was made in the likeness of men: ~ Philippians 2:5-7

If Jesus could give up the glory of Heaven and even His relationship with His Father (during that terrible time of separation on the cross), can I not give up my small agenda for the day? When I think of all that Jesus sacrificed for me, it makes my "sacrifices" seem petty. My heart's desire is to be more like my Savior, and I believe with all my heart the best way to do that is to be a servant.
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. ~Matthew 20:28
The second reason for choosing this word is because it is commanded that we be servants.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. ~Luke 9:23-24

I find the next verse to be one that I love, but one that continually convicts me.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
~Romans 12:1

Offering my life each day to serve God in any way he asks is only my reasonable service in exchange for all that God has done for me.

The third reason for choosing this word is because it's just where I'm at in my life right now. While being pregnant, I sunk into a bad habit of thinking that everybody owed me something. I may not have said it out loud, but my thoughts went something like this:
"I only got three hours of sleep last night. You should be grateful I'm serving you Ravioli out of a can for supper!"

"I just washed dishes for an hour. I think you can sweep the floor."

"I'm the one who gives you clean underwear everyday (well, most of them anyway!)!"

Yes, these were some of my despicable thoughts...not very servant-like, huh? I've decided it is time for an attitude change. Maybe it wouldn't kill someone to sweep the floor after I've washed the dishes, but was my attitude one of humility? Ummm....probably not! And what example did I just give my children? Yes, this is truly where I am today...in need of a big attitude adjustment.

In the next few posts, I'd like to continue sharing more thoughts on being a servant. Until then, what word would you choose to focus on this year? It's definitely something to think about.







December 27, 2011

Three Exciting Things!!!

I am so excited about so many different things today! I'll only bother you with three of them today! :) The first is my new blog look...isn't it sweet? I had to do a lot of googling (is that a word?) to figure out how all this is supposed to work, but I think it paid off! :) I have also updated each of the pages, so take time to check them out if you have a chance!

I haven't sat down to blog since our little one arrived. So, in case you haven't heard, we have a sweet little boy who is absolutely adorable and so far fairly well-behaved! :) I have enjoyed sitting in the rocking chair and holding my sweet boy an awful lot these last few weeks. It's hard to believe that he is already five weeks old. Time sure does go by quickly! (Sigh!) So, that was exciting thing number two!

Exciting thing number three: I feel almost normal again! :) Between recovery from a c-section and those crazy pregnancy hormones, it's been a roller coaster month, but this last week, I have finally begun to feel like my old self. I am looking forward to starting school back with the kiddos, blogging again, and setting small goals for this next year! I have spent today writing away in my journal and calendar making lots of plans for the year to come. I know, I know...this event always sets me up...I have such idealistic goals but forget to add the realistic life! :) It's still fun to do, though, and I really do believe I accomplish more than I would if I never made my lists at all!

I hope that all of you are looking forward to a New Year with new goals and fresh starts. I'm so glad God gives us opportunities to "start fresh" again. I'd love to hear what your New Year's goals/plans/resolutions are. I'll be letting you know more about mine soon! Thanks for stopping by and reading. I do hope that I can bring encouragement to your heart and a smile to your face each time you read! Have a beautiful night!