"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

1.14.2013

2013 word



waiting...
my one word for 2013

this word has been percolating for some time now.  i wasn't sure it would be my word, or i wanted it to be my word. waiting, ugh...not a word that seems exciting - seems passive, less somehow than i want my life to be. i want a life full of passion, a life moving forward...waiting, are you sure Lord?

but the more it percolated, the more i thought and questioned, the more it appeared before me in many ways, both visually and in experience, i yielded to it.  

as i continued to look at this word, waiting, i journaled my thoughts and ideas and was surprised at how it fits. these are some of my thoughts...in part, not even completed thoughts at this point...just thoughts:

waiting for dreams to be realized
waiting for heart change, in me, in loved ones
no more instant gratification...wait
delay in what i want or think i want and don't need...wait
contentment in the waiting 
active living in the waiting

not in waiting for my life to be perfect...all my ducks in a row so to speak. not waiting for some obstacle in the way to move, or something to be gotten through first...and then i will live...live in the waiting, moving forward in the waiting...

but waiting, living in hope for what is to become...eternally and in the hear and now.

expectant 
hopeful
anticipating
active
open waiting

i read this: "waiting is not a test of patience as much as it is a test of my will. waiting is an active practice. so is surrender. waiting allows me to get my eyes off of where i want to go or where i believe God wants me to go and fix them on him. waiting prepares me for his lead. surrender prepares me to follow." ( My One Word, pg 159)  

In his book "My One Word", Mike Ashcraft says to watch your word morf. to watch for God to use it in ways you do not expect, and to watch how the meaning takes on new depth and grows, changes...

please get this book, it's so good!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all - oh, how well I remember - 
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

GOD'S loyal love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with GOD (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.

GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waited,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from GOD.

Lamentations 3:19-26, The Message

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Wait for the Lord,
be strong and let your heart take courage:
yes, wait for the Lord...

Psalm 27:14  


16 comments:

Unknown said...


I just wish to say Amen ... beautiful verse of Lamentations, beautiful your words ... and I sincerely hope that everything you expect for your life and your heart will see fulfilled by God our Lord.
The design of your journal this hermoso.I love it
A hug!



Unknown said...

Yes Mary I love reading from the Bible then picking up the "Message" and reading the same scripture there...Blessings my precious sister!

jgr said...

Mary, this is SO beautiful and insightful. I'm wishing you a great year of rewards for your 'waiting'.

Jennifer Richardson said...

waiting is such a potent word,
full of gestation
and womb
and hidden things
and I love that you've embraced it.
(a rare treasure, you)
-Jennifer

Anonymous said...

I spent July to November waiting & waiting... I wished I had your wise & inspirational words then.
Thank you! I love yr blog!
Ivy

Mary said...

Ivy, wanted to emai you...you said July to November? Was your waiting rewarded? Would lve to hear.

Grace and peace

Hindsfeet said...

..."active living in the waiting"....that's what I need to let sink in.....seeing it put this way was really helpful, Mary....

thanks,
as always,
Liz~*

Tracy said...

I spent the last year waiting. Now I'm on to dreaming. At some point I should eventually get to the doing :)
Enjoy your waiting time. It can be so rewarding when we slow down and listen and wait and rest in God's presence.

Mary said...

Thank you Tracy. I am still dreaming and doing in the waiting... :)

rachel awes said...

i love your surrender to the word "waiting" + how you allowed it to keep unfolding its meaning to you.
i'm curious about what's around the bend...
xoxo

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Good word...and I can totally relate, so I might stop back by from time to time to be reminded of this word as life goes through the "transitions" this year, which is my word and the desire I have to approach it all with "joy"

You always put depth to it..thanks, I am blessed by your words

Kim Mailhot said...

When I first read the word "waiting" all of those negative associations with waiting surfaced in me. But I love your explanation and your vision of what this word means to you in your life in this moment.
May be be a year of living and waiting in joy !

Sunny K. Lee said...

Yes, so True..but time to time.. waiting can be hard.

S. Etole said...

So much strength in waiting on the Lord.

Coleen said...

Good words, Mary. Waiting is something we all have to do. Some do it better than others, but there's joy when the morning comes.

Blessings, Coleen

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

I just added that book to my "to purchase" list. Hi 5 to you Mary for being so courageous and picking your Word "Waiting". I know God is going to bless you this year as you wait with HIM. I'm still trying to figure out my word. It's between 2 and God's been working on me through both.

Mary, I'm really enjoying your Praise Journal pages that you are sharing with us. They are such an encouragement and blessing. Thank YOU.

♥Lee Ann