Happy New Year everyone!
I took a break from writing in December. I was weary. I needed time to quiet my mind and heart. I needed God’s comfort as I waded through the first Christmas without my mother. Prayer by prayer. Step by step. Trusting, remembering, and receiving God’s comfort. Though the current of sadness pressed upon my heart, I passed through it.
I am now standing in the shallow end of my new normal.
It’s time to sit.
I am ready to settle.
Looking back, 2012 was full of “new” for me:
- I created One Degree Ministries and began blogging. Communicating via the written word is a challenge for me, but apparently what I have posted here has actually made sense and encouraged many of you. {smile} Glory to God is all I can say, glory to God!
- The Air Force moved us twice. Just when life started to get organized, with a new niche and new friends identified…we were on the road again. This last move is only to a training base for 5 months. We will finally return home in February 2013.
- My mother entered Heaven. Even though I knew this one was coming, it is the “new” that I can only embrace through faith filled eyes.
- New places and faces. Chad and I also traveled to many new cities, and God brought many new friendships into my life.
- New mommy memories. Jackson and Katie continue to grow and mature, and I love seeing their new personalities develop. Katie loves to look through her new toddler Bible EVERY morning, and attempts to say new words every day. Jackson is writing new letters and is definitely in the new phase of asking Why Mommy? at least 100 times a day.
- New heart. Some days I still struggle with staying at home, but God has really cultivated a new peace and contentment in my heart as I continue to change diapers, step on toy cars, and clean up soggy Cheerios. I am convinced that no title or award could ever bring me the depth of joy that time and snuggles with my children brings me…
While I am truly thankful for 2012, I am ready for 2013. I have chosen the following word to meditate on throughout the upcoming year:
settle.
Now that 2013 is here, I look forward to settling back into our home and into various ministry opportunities. In fact, there are several new ministry opportunities that I have said yes to for 2013! {woot woot} But I sense that the following verse will come to characterize the months ahead:
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
~1 Peter 5:10 NKJV, emphasis mine
According to Webster’s Dictionary “settle” was first used in 1515, and it means “to seat, bring to rest, to become fixed, established, or resolved. To become quiet or orderly.” It was often illustrated by a high backed wooden bench.
Yep, I am all about becoming fixed, established, and resting during the odd numbered year before us…so bring on the wooden benches. I am ready to settle!
Have you picked a “word” to meditate on for 2013? Have you set a goal(s) for 2013? I would love to hear your thoughts on the year before us!
In the next post, we will take a closer look at the word “settle” and I have a specific challenge for you as we head into 2013. I will also discuss some plans I have for One Degree and ways YOU can participate in this ministry!
Settle{ing} into the arms of the Almighty~
Eileen says
Happy New Year, Tracy! So thankful our paths crossed in 2012!
Tracy says
Happy New Year to you too Eileen:) I am thankful as well, and honored to walk through this next year with you!
Amy says
May it be the most settling year you’ve ever experienced in your soul Tracy. You’re a great woman that I’m SO thankful I got to meet last year! ~ Blessings out from Maine today, Amy
Tracy says
Thank you sister, I pray it is! Thankful for your friendship and heart as well. God bless 🙂
Bridgit says
Tracy~I thought of you often through out the holidays. I pray you and your family were able to cherish the traditions left from your Mom as well as being new ones in your “new kind of normal.”
Usually I do just a New Year Scripture, however God has laid a word on my heart this years as well. My 2013 word is Listen!
Hoping 2013 will be a year which you find many wooden benches and are able to “settle” into the plans He has for your year!
Happy New Year.
~b
Tracy says
Hi Bridgit and Happy 2013! Thank you for your kind words and prayers for this “first” for my family and me. Thank you for sharing your word with us-what an awesome one it is. Praying for many opportunities of “pause/rest” so that you can hear our gracious Father. May His will be clear! Blessings 🙂
Kel Rohlf says
Tracy- I like your word…it is comforting and I am sure God will show you many facets of the word as you settle in with it this year. My husband and I were in the Air Force the early years of our marriage…now we’re like settled civilians for 20plus years with an empty nest…but those years of moving and resettling were some of the best years of our lives…enjoy! will look forward to your challenge and learning more about your ministry too…
Tracy says
Yay, another Air Force wife! Welcome to One Degree and Happy New Year. I love that you used the word “civilans” in your comment 🙂 We have 8 more years until we can become “civilians” again, Lord willing. Thank you for reminding me that I will survive all of these moves. May God richly bless you as you follow Him into 2013…
Shannon says
Tracy, thank you for this post. I have been praying about my word for 2013 and appreciated your input. Love you friend.
Tracy says
You are welcome friend. It’s great to be back at the keyboard! Would love to know your word for 2013 and love you too 🙂
Jenifer says
Love your word, fearless. My word is heart, to have a heart like God’s.
Jenifer
jenifermetzger.org
Tracy says
Thank you Jenifer! I love your word too. Blessings as you follow Jesus into 2013.