2014 In One Word

Years seem to come and go more quickly than I remember as a child. 2013 was no exception. Looking back it was some of the best of times.  And there were days I struggled to keep myself afloat.  One thing is certain, Christ has walked this road with me.  He has been by my side when the tears flowed and when my heart rejoiced. To say I am thankful may be an understatement.



This new year has begun and already I know that Christ has ordained some vital, life giving things for me and my family in 2014. What, well, I can't say for sure.  However, I can say that when considering this new year, the word He laid on my heart was Less. That little four letter word has such a BIG meaning.

Sitting down to flesh out some of what might be less in my life this new year resulted in a list, a conglomeration, of decisions that are made daily. Decisions to make less of worldly possessions and passions that unhealthily draw me away from responsibilities and relationships that have eternal value. Choices in healthy eating habits, daily exercise, removing clutter from my home, thought patterns, healthy media boundaries and choices of responsibilities outside the home, just to name a few.

Romans 6:12-14

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Some of those decisions may seem trivial, but for me, they are vital.  Because I have been made alive in Christ, I am seeing the importance of using my whole body as an instrument of righteousness.  Freely living in the grace God has provided.  Just as Romans 6:12-14 says. 2014 will bring less of me...my thinking, habits and choices.  It will reflect Christ and how He has changed my life.

What is your one word for 2014?  What are you hoping this year will bring?

That 4 Letter Word

Tears left highways down that sweet face as her mascara ran.  And my heart feel into a thousand pieces, or more, as the words just wouldn't come.  Couldn't come.  How do you comfort a heart so young, so innocent?  Stories of young love and adult tragedies were a plague, removing the sacred.

Adults can make dumb decisions. Sometimes they choose themselves over their children.

It didn't make sense and it isn't right. But how do you do damage control?  How do you convince a young heart they are not at fault for their parents poor choices?



And in our world love is a four letter word that has little meaning and even less value.  It's an emotion in passing rather than an action in choosing. The words of Paul to the church at Corinth ring loud in my ears and heart.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV

Am I so naive as to believe that society around me is fine and not falling apart at the seams?  Families crumble. And we leave the children in the aftermath to fend for themselves.  Not fully understanding that this vicious circle of life keeps happening.  And what they see is what they do.  So, when will we step in and make a change?

When will love win?

Who's going to tell her that not every man leaves? Who's going to raise him to be a man, that makes good choices?  Who's going to show her that her worth doesn't come from someone else?  Who's going to teach him to lead by example?

Who's going to chose to love them?  Well, I am.  Will you?

Let's indoctrinate them with love! Love that is not self-seeking or self-serving. Love that reaches out beyond ourselves to embrace others where they are.  That offers hope and freedom.

This isn't something I'm great, or even good, at.  It is a discipline. It means going beyond me.  But, Lord Jesus, I'm ready.  Use me.  And remind me daily to love.