When the idea for my word first came to me in November, I shoved it aside. I didn’t think it would be much of a challenge. Nothing like my words from the past:
2016 DANCE
2015 SIMPLE
2014 ENOUGH
2013 FOLLOW
2012 SURRENDER
I thought I’d aced this particular word a long time ago. But it kept popping up. Everywhere. It’s behind my laptop on an ideas board I made back in August.
It’s on the cover of this Angels on Earth magazine on my desk.
I started reading a book on my Kindle by Sheila Walsh, The Longing in Me: How Everything You Crave Leads to the Heart of God. (Great book!)
The word is in the verse at the very beginning of the book, the command from God:
LOVE each other. John 15:17
I do love people. I’m not mean.
I got a little nervous when I read the title of my BFF’s blog post, Love is Costly. Robin opens with this picture below and says,
“Love was costly for Jesus. Love was costly for God. Of course, love is costly for us too.”
(photo credit All Things Heart and Home.)
I felt an uncomfortable sensation churning inside. An uneasiness.
God had a grip on my heart. I didn’t want to give in.
This was getting deep, and I wasn’t sure what LOVE might cost.
Taking the Christmas decorations down, I noticed the burlap ribbon on the tree in the kitchen. Leftover from Valentine’s Day. Covered with red hearts.
I’m not craftsy, but I wondered if I could use the ribbon on the front porch–where my Christmas decorations were.
For Valentine’s Day.
Not for LOVE.
I wrapped it around a grapevine wreath and tied a bow at the bottom.
I brought my old pitcher outside–the one with hearts on it–still arguing with God about the word.
Okay. This looks nice, but it doesn’t mean I have to pick LOVE for my word.
I get it.
We’re supposed to love people.
And I do.
Then the word showed up at the bottom of my prayer journal.
Boom.
An arrow.
Straight to my heart.
The verse nailed me.
Love one another as I have loved you.
AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
I don’t do this very often, Lord. I don’t love people unconditionally. Sometimes it’s for show. Or for personal gain. Or because it’s expected.
But to love expecting nothing in return…
This scares me.
Because I don’t know how.
And I can’t do it without You.
With trembling fingers, I handed God my heart and said, “Will You teach me how to love others?” Click to tweet
I have no idea what’s next, and yes–I’m still a little bit afraid of my word.
Have you chosen a word for 2017? A theme? A goal? Are you a tiny bit scared too?
Love,
Julie (there’s my word again!)
