Challenge Accepted

Sometimes I wish life could be easy. That I wouldn't feel pushed and pulled in different directions, trying to balance my faith, a family, a job, friends, a blog.

I don't believe that life is intended to be easy, but abundant and full of purpose. It's design is not for breezing through without obstacles, but for developing strategy and refining our navigation skills.

I don't want to miss the beauty of becoming. - Jenny Simmons

SELF CHALLENGE
If you've been a follower of this blog for awhile, you know that starting this blog was the beginning of me doing more, being creative and setting goals. If you're a new follower, you can read this blog's birth story here.

As part of my blogging journey, I have been challenged to write on difficult topics, to boldly share my feelings and my faith, and to step outside my comfort zone...a lot! A friend recently asked me if I get nervous about putting myself out there, about letting others see deep into me. To be honest, I don't think about that too much anymore. With my first few posts, I felt like puking every time I hit publish. Now, I get excited to share what I'm learning. Hoping people will read and identify with my story.

In the past eight months, I have also challenged myself to be a voice of encouragement, start a one year plan to read the Bible and to listen and follow the voice of God.

These things have been challenges because I didn't believe I could do them. I didn't have the courage or the confidence. That wasn't me. But, God began changing that eight months ago. I am so grateful that He continues to transform me. I like myself much better than I used to.

However, I still harbor many insecurities. My goal, lately, has been to turn those insecurities into action. Asking myself, "What can I do to change this?"

Make up your mind that you're not going to quit...
until you see the fruit of what God has placed within you. 
- Joyce Meyer

In late December I got strep throat and spent several days in bed. My husband was very clear that I was supposed to rest, which left me with a lot of time to read and think. I thought mostly about this space and whether I should try to promote it. Not just among my friends and family, but among the blogging world.

I didn't want it to be about the numbers, but I did want more readers. Not just one time visitors, but readers. In order to have more readers, I needed more followers. Ultimately, I knew that God would touch the lives of those He wanted through my blog. But, I still felt the need to do something.

You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. - James 2:22 (NLT)

I decided to devote the month of January and a little bit of Christmas money (thanks Grandma!) to promoting my blog. I carefully chose a few blogs to sponsor and took advantage of opportunities to co-host, write guest posts, and participate in giveaways. I was intentional about my choices and gave the rest to God.

Here's what happened with the numbers...

My GFC followers increased from 75 to 200

My Facebook page went from 82 likes to 156

My total page views for January have been 3,011
(versus an average of 985 per month prior)

Here's what really happened...

I met some great new blogging friends.

I received many beautiful comments and complimentary emails.
(I even got a "thank you" email from another bloggers' mom...now that's a compliment)

I've felt supported and encouraged.

God is clearly working in this space.

"The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’" - Matthew 25:23 (NLT)

CHALLENGE FROM OTHERS
One of the reasons I love reading what other people write, through blogs or other social media, is because they often challenge me to think or act differently, to ask questions and to be better.

Last week, I read a post from Cat at This Little Life of Mine. In this post, she initiated a 30-day scripture challenge. The challenge:  find a new scripture everyday, that applies to that day's theme. Then, write a post, tweet, pin, Instagram, and/or share it on Facebook. Sharing scripture with others. Filling cyberspace with God's word. How could I say no? Challenge accepted.

So, beginning February 1st, I will be searching the Bible daily for wisdom related to stress, anxiety, prayer, forgiveness, etc. and sharing it with all of you.

If you would like to join this challenge, visit Cat's blog and link up. If you're not a blogger, but want to join, print out the 30-day scripture challenge list. Then, share away.

If you share on Twitter or Instagram, use #faithchallenge, so we can be inspired from God's word together.

Last week, Fawne at Beauty in Weakness posted this:

We think...try harder. God says...know me more.

Stop trying...start abiding.

Stop striving...start relating.

If you desire to know God more, enter into this scripture challenge. In this way, we can abide in Him daily and relate to each other through His word.

In what ways have you challenged yourself lately? Have you also been challenged by others? I would love to know.


LINKING UP WITH

Girls, Girls, Girls

Birthday Girl
Two weeks ago I wrote about my oldest daughter turning 10. On Saturday night, she celebrated her birthday with her four best friends. We rented (I use that word loosely, since we essentially got it free through my husband's business connections) a limo and I took the girls to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and to get frozen yogurt for dessert. The girls had such fun...drinking sodas, listening to music, testing the tinted windows - making sure those in the passing cars really couldn't see in - and laughing. Here are a couple photos from the evening...

Silly Girl
On Sundays after church, we typically eat out with friends. Yesterday, we went to a new restaurant. For mealtime entertainment, this place provides pre-cut sheets of aluminum foil, which you can make into the objects of your choice. The kids in our group made dogs, mustaches, swords, rings, etc. Here is a photo of my E in her creation...

God's Girl
Today I am joining Girls of God's Heart as a guest writer. I am excited that they have allowed me to share with their readers a post that is one of my favorites. A post about listening to that still, small voice. A post about taking action. Click the button below to see my debut as one of God's girls...

LINKING UP WITH

Clear the Clutter. Find the Treasure.

Picture this. It's mid-January and I'm picking up my house, frantically. Trying to get all the new toys and things, that have been out since Christmas, put away. Because, the next day is the day. The day that the cleaning lady comes.

This is what happens in our house, once a month when the cleaning lady comes. During the rest of the month, unless we are having guests over, all the toys and things stay out. This is something that is helpful to O and his SPD. To have these things, these sensory anchors, out and ready for him, makes him feel comfortable and regulated. While we continue to work on the idea of putting away one toy before taking another one out, it is often difficult. It is a work in progress, and sometimes he really just needs his stuff.

I had become used to living with all this clutter, or so I thought. I had fooled myself into thinking that I was okay with this stuff...everywhere. We had learned how to step over it and walk around it. We could navigate through the kitchen without tripping over the Island of Sodor. We didn't use the area of the living room floor that was taken up by the Lego Duplo Zoo.

It was okay. We were getting around it. We were content with it. It wasn't perfect, but it was working.

When we got it all cleaned up, I can't explain to you how different I felt. The sense of peace. The sense of calm that came over me when I walked into the living room the morning after we cleaned, and didn't have to step over or around anything. I could once again see our living space.

Don't our lives get cluttered like that, too? At times we have so much stuff taking up our life that we can't see the core of it. We can't see God's waiting arms. We can't see Him because He's hidden behind the other stuff. Of course He's still there, but we are not developing our relationship with Him because we are always stepping over or around something else. There is too much in the way.

It just got me thinking, not only do I have to clear the clutter out of my house, but also the clutter out of my life. Those relationships that aren't working or are bringing me down. Those frustrations at work. Those lies that Satan continues to tell me. When we let these these things stay around, we start to focus on them. We start to believe the lies. Just like when we had all that stuff on the floor, it became part of the norm. It didn't stand out as different anymore. We accepted it.

But, we can't continue to accept it and live a life of peace. In order to get rid of it, we have to recognize it as unnecessary and atypical.

A couple Sundays ago, the pastor who is currently serving in our church spoke about leadership. He used the text of Titus to share the qualities of a good leader. One of the necessary values was knowledge of the Bible. Complete understanding of the truth found in God's word. He explained the importance of this knowledge by using the analogy of someone who is an expert in counterfeiting. A person in this position has to know real money, inside and out, so that he can easily recognize the fake.

I think the same is true for us. We need to know what's real, so that when those lies, those things that are trying to deceive us, come in, we are able to see them. By clearing the clutter from our lives, we are able to see the truth. And, therefore more easily recognize the lies.

At the beginning of this year, I completed a 20-day devotional created by She Reads Truth. I saved this passage from Day 17. I thought it fit very nicely with this post.

We aren’t beautiful, unbreakable jars holding clay, we are frail, weak jars made of clay.  

And yet we’re holding God’s richest and most glorious treasure. 

Let’s thank Him for our cracks. Let’s thank Him that outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Find your treasure. Begin by clearing the clutter from your life. Start today. I plan to.

and now it's time for...

the Saturday Morning Coffee Blog Hop!

<a href=http://quitetheblog.com"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RdspRMxKG9Y/ULlvg7N5asI/AAAAAAAACLY/JnLO6JY13mU/s200/freeimage-3168670.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />

It's Saturday Morning! 

Why not do a little blog hopping before your day gets started?

Meet your Host

MORGAN at Quite the Blog

 

And your Co-Host (ME!)

 

HOW IT WORKS:

- Follow host and co-hosts on Google Friend Connect (GFC)

- Add the "Saturday Morning Coffee" button to your Saturday blog post (your post can be about anything)

- Add your blog link to the bottom

- Tweet about it!

- Share it on Facebook!

- Go see what your fellow Saturday Morning Coffee blog hops are up to!

- Have fun!

Happy Saturday!

Loved.

Five simple and wonderful things from this week.

1. Sitting on the couch with my boy. He reached over and grabbed my hand. Definitely a high moment of the week!

2. I love candy hearts! But, only Brachs brand. Not those other knock-offs. 

It must be Brachs. Filled a bowl in the beginning of the week. Didn't last long in my house.

3. I have been waking up early. Really early. Even on the days I don't have to. 

The benefit? Some quiet time. Just me, a blanket, a cup of tea and my iPad.

4. An "I Love You" text from my husband. On a day when I really needed it. He is the best!

5. At the end of a long day, nothing feels better than my fuzzy slippers on my tired feet. 

And, yes, I am wearing Christmas socks.

This week has been full of ups and downs. In the midst of it all, I have felt treasured and loved. 

By my family and my God.

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

- The Desert Song, Hillsong

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never have to be afraid
One thing remains
- One Thing Remains, Jesus Culture

Linking up with

Tell it to me Straight

"Is the Tooth Fairy real?"

It's a question I knew was coming. Yet, I wasn't quite prepared to answer it.

One very important thing in our house is honesty. We strive continuously to instill that value in our kids. If you do something wrong, don't lie about it. That equals double the trouble. And, when asked questions by my kids, I have always answered with honesty. Age appropriate honesty, of course.

So, if I have answered questions like, "Do babies come out of your belly button?" and follow up questions like, "Then, do they come out of your bottom?" I can certainly answer a question about a tooth-taking, money-leaving fairy.

I have never felt like the belief in and promotion of legendary figures in our family was wrong. But, there have been times that I have grown tired of the lengths we must go to to keep up their existence. Sneaking around after dark. Throwing away boxes in a dumpster instead of our own trash. Trips to the convenience to buy something, just so we can get cash. Writing notes of apology for the forgetful fairy.

My girls are 10 and 7 and have been asking lots of questions lately about the realness of these legendary figures. We managed to get through Christmas with Santa and his reindeer intact, but I knew the end was coming soon. And, I was right.

Sunday. The questions started coming again. This time about the Tooth Fairy, since she had, once again, forgotten to leave money the night before and attempted to sneak it in Sunday morning. Not the greatest move. But, obviously part of a bigger plan.

While the questions began at home, they became more intense during the car ride to church. The car...where the greatest of questions always seem to come out. Car conversations are deep in our family.

Thanks to a sniffly boy, it was only the girls and I in the car. The time had come. We talked about the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Each one triggering the realization that if one didn't exist, neither did the other.

What about God? E mentioned that one of her friends had lumped God together with the others. Not the same thing, I said. God is NOT a legendary figure. He is real. They understood.

We laughed as we talked. They were not disappointed or sad. They did not hate me or call me a liar. They were ready to hear it. In fact, E was amazed at how we had pulled it off.

They wanted to know how it all started, these legends. For the most part, I told them, I didn't know. But, my parents had done it for me and we had chosen to do it for them.

Of course, I did the wise mama thing and told them they were not to discuss this with their brother, friends, etc. I explained to them that if they had not been ready for this information, they would have felt sad to hear it. You don't want to make your friends sad, do you? They got it.

Finally, we arrived at church. The conversation was over, almost. As we exited the car, A said, "But leprechauns are definitely real. Right?" 

Yep. That's a conversation for another time.

LINKING UP WITH:

Dear Kindergarten: My Stuff

Dear Kindergarten,

I like my stuff. And, I like it to be out where I can see it. My mom always wants me to clean up, but it makes me feel better when I know my stuff is there, ready for me.

Some of my stuff is toys. But, I have other stuff that makes me feel calm and good and just right. You may not understand what I mean. It's hard to explain. My stuff just makes me better.

At home I have a bouncy ball, a squish bed, a balance board, dinosaur feet, and probably some other things that I am forgetting. I also like to cuddle up tight with my mom, sometimes. She gives me squeezes and big hugs. I don't always like to be touched, even by my mom. But, sometimes it make me feel really good.

When we go out, my mom always takes my headphones, just in case it gets too loud for me. I also like to take my blankets. Sometimes we walk up and down stairs...lots of times. My mom usually tells me when it's time to use or do these things. She always seems to ask me at the right time. I wonder how she knows.

I don't know what I will do in kindergarten without my stuff. Will you have something for me if it's too loud or when I start to feel funny? Who will know what I need?

Kindergarten, do you have anything that will help me feel just right? I hope I can feel good at kindergarten.

Love,
O

P.S. Next time I will probably write to you about parties. I know you must have them, but I'm hoping you don't.

For background on my Letters to Kindergarten posts, click here.

I am Horrible at This

First, I must apologize for the delay in responding to three lovely bloggers who nominated me for a Liebster Award. You may remember I was nominated for a Liebster Award by my friend, Jessica at Dreaming of Dimples, early in my blogging journey. Read about it here. At that time, the rules were simple...publicly thank the one who nominated you and nominate five others. Now, the rules are more complicated, which brings me to my second apology...
Second, I must apologize for not following the rules. 
The first rule is:   Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.  I just wrote the My First 13 post, which lists 13 random facts about me. I will link you to it here. 
The second rule is:   Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.  Out of the 33 questions I received (three awards!), I chose a total of 11 to answer. I will not be asking any questions.

The third rule is:   Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.  While I wanted to recognize the women who nominated me by answering some of their questions and sharing their blogs with you, I will not be nominating any new bloggers. There are just so many blogs and my time for bloggy stuff is limited.  I know, horrible. Sorry.

I really am grateful to these women for nominating me for a Liebster Award. Check out their blogs and show them some love (to make up for my delay in thanking them and lack of following the rules) by leaving them a comment and/or following them. Rachel at Rachel's CountryRoots

Brittany at Britt’s Cozy Corner

SaraLeanne at Fake it Till You Make It

And now, the answers to their questions:

1. What is your favorite music?

I love listening to contemporary Christian music. 

Some of my favorite female artists are: Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Grace, Laura Story and Jenny Simmons.

2. If you could meet any blogger in real life, who and why?

I would love to meet Anna from An Inch of Gray. She seems like a very genuine person. 

When I read her blog, I feel like I'm having a conversation with her over a cup of tea. 

3. Where is the farthest you have traveled?

When I was a teenager, I traveled to Europe.

4. What do you drive?

I drive a Volkswagen Routan. It's a minivan. I love it! 

5. What is your favorite good cry movie?

Steel Magnolias.

6. Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook.

7. What is your all time favorite TV show?

 The Cosby Show. 

We still watch re-runs and laugh hysterically.

8. What is your favorite movie?

Notting Hill.

9. Have you ever had a celebrity crush?

I use to love Ralph Macchio (The original Karate Kid).

10. Sweet or Salty?

Sweet.

11. What are you currently reading?

Submerged, by Dani Pettrey

Thanks so much for the nominations, ladies!

A Decade Old

This week, my oldest daughter will turn ten! While there are many days that living with a tween in the house is a challenge, she is truly a remarkable young woman.

In celebration of her ten years of life, here are ten things I love about about A:

1. She has a heart for God and the lost. She is always inviting her friends to church and related activities and telling them about Jesus.
2. She is bright and creative, always coming up with new ideas, writing stories or songs, drawing, entering contests, and even creating PowerPoint presentations.
3. Although she has faced many challenges this year, she has continued to show the desire to improve and overcome them. She was even chosen as the Student of the Month by her teacher this week.
4. She loves animals and really wants to have a pet (something besides fish). But, her desire for a pet is often replaced with an understanding of her sister's allergies.
5. As a lover of food, she is my best eater, which means that no matter what I fix for dinner, she will eat it. A mother's dream.
6. She understands the value of teamwork. As part of a cheer team, for the past four years, she recognizes that while each members' role is different, all are important and necessary for the team to function properly.
7. She is confident in her abilities and is rarely afraid to try new things.
8. Her memory is outstanding!
9. She is curious about life and it's mysteries and is always eager to share her knowledge with you.
10. She loves to perform in front of an audience, and doesn't even get nervous.

Looking forward to celebrating my girl this week. So blessed to be her mom.

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Linking up with Tell Me About it Tuesday and Tuesday Baby (Child) Link Up.

The One Year Plan

Last week I wrote about the importance of progressing beyond the past, of moving forward. One of the things that had me stuck was the what, how and when of choosing a plan that would enable me to read the entire Bible. In typical me fashion, when there is something that I am afraid of, I either try to push it out of my mind or head straight into it, with a force greater than may actually be necessary.

Once I knew that keeping this out of my mind wasn't working, it became bigger than I could have imagined. Let me explain...

Since early October, I have felt called to begin a women's Bible study. In fact, this is one of those things that God continued to bring up to me in our conversations, no mattered how much I tried to ignore Him.

Over time, He gave me the names of several women to include in this study. Still, I did nothing. I just couldn't find make the time. I also had so many questions and concerns. What did I know about the Bible that I could teach to others? When and where would we meet? What would we study?

Then last Monday, after I wrote the It's in the Past post, it came to me. I needed to combine God's desire for me to lead a study of the Bible with my desire to read through the Bible this year.

So, I wrote, and rewrote, a message to the 10 women that God had put on my heart, inviting them to join me in reading the Bible this year. Part of this study will include weekly messages of encouragement and accountability from me, to the group. (I told you it was big.) We will also meet together, as a group. While we won't be meeting weekly or even monthly, I am planning to gather the group several times during the year, to discuss the Bible, to socialize, eat, and pray together. I am excited (and, yes, a little scared) that God has called me to lead this group.

Even though all the women I approached with this idea were not able to participate, all were appreciative of my efforts and realized the importance of my call. I did not feel rejected. I did not feel self-conscious. This could only be God, since the potential for me to experience failure, without Him, is always great.

I don't know all the details. This is uncharted territory for me. Yet, I am trusting God. He has led me this far and I know He will continue to lead, as long as I am willing to follow. I have hope. There will be blessings.

If you would like to follow us through the Bible this year, we will be using the One Year Bible plan through You Version. We are beginning Monday, January 14th. 

While I know that most of you readers do not live close enough to physically be a part of this group, if you would like to be encouraged and led through this study, please email me at peaceitalltogether@gmail.com and I will include you in the group's correspondence.

Now, in the words of Paul, from 2 Corinthians 13:14, "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

It's in the Past

My husband recently told me that I spend too much time thinking and talking about the past. Focusing too much on the things that I didn't do or the things that I did do, but incorrectly.

As much as I hate to admit it, the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right. This is what I do...berate myself for the past, which leaves me stuck in this cycle of negativity. Because the more time I spend thinking about what went wrong, the less time I spend in the present, trying to make improvements for the future.

Why do I do this? Here are some of the reasons:

Focusing on the negative leaves room for surprises. I wrote a little about this in my Two Words for 2013 post. I'm the type of person who would rather be surprised because I was thinking the worst, than disappointed because I was wishing for the best.

While I do this with many things, I think I do it most with those issues related to O and his struggles with sensory processing. It is difficult for me to focus on his progress and feel good about the better days, because I am always wondering when the next bad day will be, or what new quirk is lurking behind the door, waiting to replace the behavior we have extinguished. This is just one reason I need to incorporate more hope in 2013.

What if I fail. This is the same reason I have avoided choosing a plan for reading through the Bible this year. A year is a big commitment. But, trying to do it in less time, seems unrealistic. What if I don't get through it? Consequently, I am stuck. I have not chosen a plan. (Note:  By the time this publishes, I hope to have a plan in place).

I don't deserve my life. That seems like a crazy thing to say, I know. But, I must be honest. Most days, that is how I feel. I should affirm these blessings, this life God has given me. While I know that I could never DO anything to deserve what I have been given, I must accept the blessings that God, in His grace, has gifted to me. That's one reason why I chose blessing as one of my words for 2013.

Do you remember that scene in The Lion King, where the crazy monkey hits Simba over the head with his stick? When Simba gets upset, the monkey says, "It's in the past." Meaning, don't worry about it. Let's move on. Stop living in the past. Think about what you're going to do next.

Okay, I realize much of this is implied. I also realize that I'm taking life lessons from a Disney cartoon. But, you get the idea.

It's time for me to start looking toward tomorrow with hope, knowing that I did the best I could with today's blessings.

Linking up with A Royal Daughter, with a desire to inspire.

Tell Me About It: Journals

So excited to be co-hosting my first ever link-up! Tell Me about it Tuesday. A big thank-you to Helene from Helene in Between and Emily from Newlywed Moments for granting me the opportunity to co-host.

Now, here's what I want to tell you about...

This year I wanted to do something special for my girls for Christmas. They are 9 (nearly 10) and 7 years old. I didn't want to buy them lots of toys - that they certainly didn't need - and I was trying to cut down on the amount of money I was spending on gifts.

I had seen and read about, in several different places (blogs, Pinterest, etc.), mothers that had created journals for their daughters. Places where their daughters could write freely, ask questions and stir up conversation. In some cases questions were answered with lengthy letters, and in others simple love notes were written when each might be having a bad day.

I wanted something like this for my girls and I. A safe space, for open communication. Not to replace or discourage verbal communication, but to supplement it. To be a catalyst for conversation. Because, I know well that some things are more easily said, and some questions are more easily asked, when put in writing.

Here's what I started with, two composition notebooks in my girls' favorite colors. A prefers green (and pink, too, but I couldn't find pink). E prefers purple.

(First, I must apologize for the quality of my photos. Completing a secret project in my house, means doing so in a poorly lit room, at night.)

Then, I went through all of my scrapbooking materials, which I haven't used in too long, and found papers, stickers, etc. that fit my color schemes.

Once I had all my materials together, I began creating a cover for the journals. I found some free fonts and created a title for our books, the Tell, Ask, Talk Journal. I took a photo of each of the girls with me and used them as the centerpiece for the journals' covers. 

Then, I laminated each of the covers, which turned out not to be the best option. Immediately after opening it on Christmas morning, E's cover began coming off. I will admit, it was likely user error...I think I cut the laminate too close to the edge of the cover, not giving it enough space to stick. Here are the laminate sheets I used:

Here are the finished products:

I wasn't sure what to expect from the girls on Christmas morning. They were both thrilled! I included a note for each of them, as the first journal entry. I wish I could have captured a photo of each of their faces as they read it, but I always seem to forget to take photos on Christmas morning. 

I did get a note from each of the girls by the end of the day on Christmas. So far, I have not received any deep thoughts or difficult questions, but we have had fun writing to each other and finding new places to put the journals, where the other person will be surprised to find it.

Did you give or receive any homemade gifts for Christmas?

  

To join Tell me about it Tuesday, follow both hosts and me (your co-host) and then link up your post below. Oh, and don't forget to grab a button, so you can link your post back to Tell me about it Tuesday.

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Two Words

I have read several posts from other bloggers about choosing their one word for the new year. Honestly, I didn't think I could do it, just choose ONE word. I mean, you've seen all the words I've written, and that doesn't even come close to the number of words I've thought and spoken in the past year. How could I possibly choose just one?

After several days, I came up with a word. But, due to the craziness of life, I did not have a chance to do more than a jot down a few notes about it. Then, I read a wonderful post about a word, my word. Well, not actually my word, but the word I had chosen.

Since I didn't want to have the same word as somebody else (not a big deal, I know, but it bothered me), I thought of a new word. But, I couldn't get the old word out of my mind. I liked them both. I couldn't choose. 

Based on the title of this post, my solution to this problem should be obvious...I chose two words.

2013 will not be about just one word for me. It will be about two. These two.

I'm a realist. Some may even say, a pessimist. I've always found it more desirable to be surprised, rather than disappointed. In fact, I've probably dashed your hope a few times.

The realist in me has always thought of the concepts of hope and dream to be closely related, likening hope to that "last ditch effort," when everything else has failed. I hope it works out. Or, less than confidently saying, "hopefully." 

Maybe hope is not a pipe dream, but is a choice, like choosing optimism over pessimism. Not expecting the best, but expecting something. Not looking for the best case scenario, but going into a situation with confidence. Some of my favorite synonyms for hope are:  expect, trust, confidence, faith. 

The book of Psalms is full of verses about hope. Here are some of my favorites:

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?

My only hope is in you.

Psalms 39:7

We put our hope in the Lord

He is our help and our shield.

Psalms 33:20

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,

for my hope is in him.

Psalms 62:5

The song, My Hope is in You, by Aaron Shust, came to me as I reflected on this word, hope. Here are some of the lyrics:

I meet with You and my soul sings out

As your word throws doubt far away

I sing to You and my heart cries

"Holy! Hallelujah, Father, You're near!"

My hope is in You, Lord

All the day long, I won't be shaken by drought or storm

A peace that passes understanding is my song

And I sing my hope is in You, Lord

I know that I lived a blessed life. So, why do I struggle to feel blessed? This year, I would love to be more aware of my blessings.

"You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." 

Luke 1:45 (NLT)

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 

Matthew 5:3-10 (NLT) 

Another one of my goals this year is to bless others. To fill them up with blessings, so that they feel special and loved. 

And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing 

is greater than the one who is blessed. 

Hebrews 7:7 (NLT)

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 

1 Corinthians 9:23 (NLT)

The song, The Blessing, by John Waller, came to me as I reflected on this word, blessing. Here are some of the lyrics:

Let it be said of us

That our hearts belonged to Jesus. Let it be said of us

That we spoke the words of life.

Let it be said of us

That our heritage is blessing for life.

For your Kingdom, for our Children

For the sake of every nation

For your Kingdom, for our Children

For the sake of every nation

We will choose to be a blessing for life.

My prayer for 2013...to recognize my own blessings and live in the hope of the Lord...to bring hope and deliver blessings to others.

My first act of blessing others will be to join my friend, Rebecca, who blogs at She Becomes, in her goal of spreading cheer throughout this year. 

So, the first six people who comment on this post will receive some kind of gift from me sometime this year. What and when? That will be a surprise. 

If you would like to join us here's how:

Leave a comment on this post.

Send me an email to peaceitalltogether@gmail.com. The email should include your full name, address, and five interesting facts about you. 

Finally, don't forget to pass it on! If you pass it on through your blog, please use the button below. 

Happy 2013. May it be a year full of blessing and hope!

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