Monday, January 3, 2011

A Year Crammed in a Word

Been challenged by others. Encouraged. Nudged. Challenged.
To find a word, to place my dreams of 2011, bound by simple syllables.
Rolling it over in my mind, bringing to my Jesus.
Dialogue. Share. Search.

Honestly, I did not know if it could be done. But with my God, all things are possible, even limiting this verbose momma to one simple word for a new year. Now last year, that one was easy. I have a dictionary full to describe my 2010.

Transformation. Refinement. Working out faith. Journey ...
and the list continues.

I wanted to share the hope that is bubbling up inside. The excitement bursting forth of all that is in store for 2011. The best year awaits me. With sparkling cider at a midnight stroke, I stepped into it.

And I found my word. Lodged in my heart. My dreams. My aspirations. My goal for 2011.

Loveprints

To walk in love, real love. The kind of love that lives out Jesus loud. The kind of love, not limited human feelings, God agape always there, never changing love. And wherever I go. Who ever I touch. I will leave loveprints on their lives.

Now, to pass on the challenge dear ones .... What word (or a list of them) would you use to describe your 2011?

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

New Beginnings - Ryan

Danae Hudson said...

I love your word!!

The McClain's said...

Sarah, sweet Sarah,
I too took on this challenge and found my word after searching through many...grace, joy, love, peace, all great and things I long to grow in...2011 is the year of thanksgiving for me...and I believe all those other really great words will stem from a concious decision to give thanks in all things, at all times, for all thigns and always to Him from whom all things come and who has a purpose for all things.

Have a blessed year filled with loveprints my sweet friend...

Brooke :)

PS: I'd love to share with you a book that has blessed me and challenged me- One thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp...it has been a true challenge, but one so worth it...

Happy New Year!

Bekah said...

I have no idea what God is going to do with the year, but I hope it becomes about redemption and restoration.

Intentional Living Homestead said...

Great post...I couldn't come up with just one word..but the Lord has given me these words...and they are totally for me in 2011

"The Road to my new reality"....God is about to do something amazing and I cannot wait for the journey to begin...actually it already has....hopefully I will have time to start posting again.

Happy New Year!

Melanie said...

love it. I still haven't found my word for the year. we'll see what God lays on my heart as I continue to seek Him.

Unknown said...

If I had to pick just one word - it might have to be intentional.

I want to be intentional about mothering, teaching, loving, learning, sharing, giving, receiving, blessing, praying, hugging, holding and letting go. I want to be intentional as a wife and friend.

I want to be intentional about my choice to continue to trust and obey God no matter the cost.

I want to be intentional about praising Him and thanking Him!

Yes, intentional is my word for 2011.

Love you!
Jill
who can feel your loveprints almost 2K miles away!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Oh what a beautiful word! And I am sure you will fulfill it. May you be a conduit of God's love this year & every year!

Unknown said...

Love it! I've chosen "purposeful." Happy New Year! May it be a powerful one!

Linda said...

What a meaningful, beautiful word Sara.
The word the Lord began whispering to my heart long before the New Year arrived is "quiet." He is calling me to turn off the "noise" and be still so that I can hear that still, small voice.
He has also convicted me about my tongue. I need to learn to be a better listener.
Let's pray for one another that the truth of our words will be lived out in our lives this year, in ways we could never have imagined.

Cynthia said...

Good challenge...for me it would have to be two words (sorry)
"trading treasures"

My commitment to frugal living in order to give lavishly to missions and ministries will demand every bit as much discipline as last years commitment to learning to run and then to compete in a 5K with the goal of placing in my age category...which I did (at 50 that was no small task)

Thanks for the nudge to be word frugal too :)

quilt'n-mama said...

What a beautiful word... I hope I can do the same. I'm not sure exactly what word I have in mind yet but I want this year to have focus... focus on what is important each day- my husband, my children, my God- I want it to be reflected in what we do as a family, what I do as a child of God... I want to be focused on Him first so the rest isn't a blur in the background but instead visible proclaiming His glory.
Thanks for posting this, I needed to think through it more and write some words to bring it all more into focus as I set out my goals and dreams for 2011.
Blessings to you!

BARBIE said...

I absolutely love your word!

Kim said...

I love your word.
After reading The 5 Love Languages, my word is "LOVE" for 2011. I will be seeking to love like Jesus ... identifying and using the unique love language of my husband and children this year!
Sending you Happy New Year Wishes from Hong Kong,
Kim

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Love this! Mine is "Living Beyond Myself"--

Happy New Year!

Love,
Dianne

Unknown said...

Love your word :) .
Mine is PRAISE!

Blessings to you in 2011,
Catherine

Amy said...

I really like that you chose such a unique word as God led you. May your year be full of the crazy kind of love.

Many Blessings,
Amy @ Missional Mama

Anonymous said...

Hi Sara,
This is Lorie, I worked next door to you in Glendale. I hope this goes through to you. I found this site awhile ago but I could never leave a comment.

First, I love your blog! It is beautiful! I know our God would be overjoyed at your postings! And I love your word for the new year!

Lately, floating around in my head are the words Good Deed. So I guess this would be mine. I have been meaning to make some Good Deed strings with beads on them with my kiddos. St. Therese carried one in her pocket when she was young. You slide down the beads each time you do a good deed to someone.
A Blessed and Happy New Year to you and your family!

Sarah said...

Lorie,
Goodness I was just thinking of you this week! I cannot find that book where I wrote your number (at the Tempe Library book sale) and was wondering how I would ever find you again!

And you found me ... in blogland. So if you have a chance to read this ... email me.

bedenkop at gmail dot com

Happy, happy day,
Sarah

JulieandMax said...

Sarah, I love your post and love that you've encouraged us to seek something from God for 2011 :-) Also, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on my blog (maxiesknitwear.blogspot.com).
Blessings, Julie

Vicki said...

That's a beautiful word! I'll have to think about it and choose one for my year, too. :-)

Blessings!

Love in Christ,
Vicki

Jen said...

Loveprints is wonderful!

Mine is adventure :-)

Audrey said...

I love this post! My word would be intimacy. I long for a greater level of intimacy with the Lord.

Andrea said...

You have already been leaving "loveprints" in my life. I thank you for always living HIS life for you out loud!
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea

Joan Davis (Jo) said...

"Deeper"! That's my one word for 2011. I desire to go deeper with the Lord...in my relationship with Him, my knowledge of Him, my faith in Him and my trust in Him. It's going to be a blessed year!

Living for Him, Joan

Debbie Petras said...

I pray that 2011 will be all about love for me too. Last year I focused on living fearlessly as I learned to trust the Lord more and more. Now I want to grow in that relationship; to know Him better and love Him more.

Love you,
Debbie

Sharon said...

This challenge has come through several bloggers. I didn't have a word for a few days, and wanted one - and then one "popped" into my head (Thank you, Holy Spirit!)

It's DETERMINED - I DO NOT want to be deterred in my faith journey anymore. I want to be determined - resolved to press on, press through, press forward - to follow Jesus NO MATTER WHAT!

Thanks for leaving a loveprint in my heart today!

GOD BLESS!

Dena E's Blog said...

Wonderful share Sis..Its been a while since I visited Sweetie.. Your posts are somehow always so informative, a delight to see, inspiring and encouraging to our hearts!!!
What a JOY in Christ's Spirit it is to visit with you here and read
each one of them as you're sooooo filled by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ.. Thanks for ALWAYS sharing about Our God through your acts of kindness and love. May you continue to feel the best blessing's of, His presence Sis~~~Love and Hugs Dena

Brock S. Henning said...

Wow, that's a cool word. And it's not easy to sum up a year in a single word that we don't hear every day!

Natasha said...

Beautiful, Sarah, beautiful.

I'd say Belovedness. Accepting that I am His and He is mine into every area of my heart that surface. And from that place of knowing I'm His Beloved, truly seeing and drawing out the belovedness of others.