Can you believe that 2013 is half way over? At the beginning of January, I shared that I am allowing one word to mold me this year. Here is a short excerpt from that post:
“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.
‘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!”
image courtesy of Phaitoon/freedigitalphotos.net
Checking in with each other:
How am I doing with my one word? To be honest, I have not thought about my word every day. When the word “settle” does come to mind, I pray through 1 Peter 5:10 asking God to settle me in whatever is burdening me.
Is God settling me?
Yes, in many ways He is. We have been in our new home for 5 months. We feel established and have found a new church family. I am finding my niche and am forming some wonderful friendships. I have located the nearest post office, parks, swimming pools, doctor, Hobby Lobby, and the nearest Chick-fil-A. (The last two are VERY important y’all)
God continues to establish in my heart what being a mother that honors Him is and what it is not. For example, although I love my children- I can easily lose my cool with them. This is tearing my heart apart. I do not like it when I raise my voice after I have told my children repeatedly to do or not to do something. I have resolved to pray daily for the Holy Spirit to help me grow in patience and gentleness towards my little ones.
Guess what?
God is serious about settling me in this area. On several occasions, the Holy Spirit has helped me to pause and to remain gracious when speaking to my children. Though these moments feel few and infrequent, I trust God will multiply them.
image courtesy of Victor Habbick/freedigitalphotos.net
I am returning to that wooden bench that I built at the first of the year, changed. However, I have yet to sit down on it because I am unsettled in some areas of my life. When I look at how I am serving outside of my home, I feel unsettled.
Since January, God has closed some ministry doors. He has opened other doors that allow me to serve fellow mommies through MOPS, and that allow me to encourage teen girls and their mothers through the Whatever Girls Ministry. I am honored to be a part of these ministries!
As far as One Degree goes, I continue to lift it up with open hands before the Lord. It blesses me to know that you join me here and that God encourages you through what is said. I truly thank God for you!
However, it seems that most of my blogging friends admit to finding themselves in a season of doubt and discouragement from time to time. This is the season I find myself in, my friend. May I ask you to pray for me and this ministry?
So yes, I am waiting for the Lord to settle me in a couple of areas. I am humbled and blessed by the opportunities God gives me to love on those around me, whether they be online or in person. God has placed me on this earth for such a time as this.
May all aspects of my life increasingly glorify Him as He continues to settle me in 2013.
I would LOVE to know if you chose a word for 2013 and how it is or isn’t changing you in the comment section below. Or how is your list of resolutions for 2013 coming along?
Tracy,
I can hear your voice in your writing, so it comes off the page as if you are speaking. Maybe it’s because I’ve listened to your short videos and you have such a lovely voice.
I will be praying for you with you and your children. Just think of the degrees of transformation that have occurred since before you even had children! You may feel like you have flared up more or that more “ick” has been revealed, but I just see it as a deeper, more intense refining than ever before, and your heart is soft and tender to being changed. You can’t force the change. Just keep leaning into the Father’s loving arms, receive His substantial love, let it fill and permeate your heart, and He will water your heart and grow these gifts that He has planted in your heart.
I also will pray for you and your ministry. As you keep your hands open before the Lord, with all these things in your heart open to Him, He will do something with it. Often in surprising ways. Your only stance is to remain open to all that He has for you and for this ministry. I see you in a position of openness and trust. You’re not to hold back but neither are you to force anything:
Here’s a quote:
“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
May there be some flow, as in a river, in your life and in your ministry, that is held in childlike trust that it is moving, somehow, even if you can’t see it.
Have you heard the song from Sara Groves called Open my Hands?
It’s beautiful, with a simple message of surrender and trust. I see God speaking this invitation to you and this being your response:
Lots of love from your Canadian sister in Christ,
Alison
This is so refreshing to read, Tracy. Its important to get back to the last thing that God led us to do!
I do have a 2013 word: Pray. I’ve done so-so. I too easily fall back into the ho-hum and neglect to get down to the nitty gritty.
I started a prayer notebook. Its the cutest little thing! But what does that matter if its not being continually used?
BUT I do find myself immediately praying when someone asks me to pray for them. So…progress, I think? 😉
Yes, Kela you ARE making progress sister! Keep on, for I do understand falling back into ho-hum. I also want to see a picture of your prayer notebook 🙂 Will you post a picture of it on FB and tag me?
Thank you girl! and SURE! 🙂
Thanks Kela! Saw the prayer notebook and LOVE it 🙂
I don’t think of my word every day, “diligent”, but see myself walking it in areas. However, like you mentioned I flounder more than I would like.
Oh Dawn- “diligent” would stretch me as well! Thankful that each day presents us with new opportunities to “settle” and to be “diligent.” Praying for you my friend!
Sweet Alison- you have ministered to my heart greatly with your comments. Thank you for your prayers- I truly thank God for you. The song by Sara is lovely as well. With open hands, I am giving Him my all. He withholds no good thing from His children. Amen and amen.
Oh, Tracy. We were destined to be friends. What a gift to have–to be utterly and completely settled. I feel like I strive to make everything *perfect* so that I can find that quiet place and rest in the Lord. It’s not surprising that I find myself struggling to finish the never-ending laundry list of daily *stuff* so that I can then say, “I’m here, Lord. I’m ready.”
Your post is raw and real, and you are not alone. My word for 2013 has been “grace.” I’m praying for you–that God will indeed settle your spirit and shine a light onto the next leg of your journey with Him. You are so right. We all need encouragement from time to time. It’s not easy to stop, breathe and say, “Okay, Lord. What’s next?” I’m so proud of you, and rest assured you will be covered in prayers and kind thoughts.
Catherine- I so agree, we are destined for another reason- my daughter’s first name is Katherine. I love your first name 🙂 Your comments and prayers bless me more than you know right now. I thank God for you my new friend. I have come to learn that God doesn’t expect us to be *perfect* before we come before Him, because He IS perfection. Whew… that takes a load of our shoulders doesn’t it?
Here is my prayer for you tonight: Heavenly Father, I lift my sister Catherine up to you and I ask that your Spirit would deepen her thirst for you. Please remove all distractions from her mind so that she can come to You freely before she begins her day. Lord, help her to know deep in her mind and in her heart that You approve of her and will love her always. Teach her about Your grace and help her grow in her ability to show herself and others a pure and perfect grace that can only come from You. Please bless her and the other friends who have left comments here. They have shown me You and I thank You for each and every one of them. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Dear sister,
Your request makes my heart happy! We ALL are moving onward with Him, regardless of us, from GLORY TO GLORY, AMEN! He’s got us. God has brought up this scripture for me this week, Romans 11:29 NLT “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.”
NEVER means never with Him! His Spirit has encouraged my heart greatly as I am in need. HE’S GOT US girl! 🙂 I didn’t have a “word” for the new year but I can say for sure my word lately has been a request for WISDOM in all things. Whatever our downfalls are, our struggles, He knows us full well… and we still look good to Jesus. Keep sharing as you’re able to do so girl and together we will trust Him to enable us when He calls us to give a word of encouragement! TOGETHER, we will wait and not try to get ahead of Him…Praise HIM! ~ Love, Amy 🙂
Amy: I love how you said~ “never means never with Him!” Thank you for sharing Romans 11:29. It brings me comfort to know you are walking with me sister. Your support and encouragement bless me. Praise Him indeed 🙂