Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

One Word 2011

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I hadn’t planned to do this.  Not because it’s not a valid thing to do or I didn’t want to.  I think I just didn’t want to not do it justice.  I’m not a resolutions type girl.  And really, I’m quite indecisive so picking just one word to infuse into my entire year was daunting to say the least.  But over the weekend I just can not get my word out of my head.  I feel like it’s already seeping its way into 2011 without me ever committing to it.

I originally thought I wanted to do “giving”.  One thing I do want to continue to do from 2010 is to loosen my grip on my possessions and money and give with an open hand.  My first verse of Beth Moore’s Scripture Memory team is Deuteronomy 15:10. 

“You shall give to him generously and without begrudging it; because of this the Lord will bless your work and all you undertake.”

You may think I want to give for the second half of that verse…for the blessings.  But my true goal is to learn to give without begrudging it.  I never begrudge it when I think the person “deserves” it but I want to learn GRACEFUL GIVING.  Giving when they person DOESN’T deserve it.  I admit, it’s a difficult pill to swallow but I think it’s a Biblical one.  God gives us so much grace and I think we would all do well to extend it more. 

We’re still thinking a lot about adoption.  I know I haven’t blogged much about it.  In fact, I’m not sure I’ve said a word about it since a year ago.  But we talk a lot about it, are discussing it with people, making plans.  We’re still not 100% sure what direction He’s leading us in this area but I wanted a word that would encompass that journey.

There were some other things I wanted to include that honestly, I can barely remember but it all came down to one word.  One word that would suffice for every situation I was thinking of and that is

love

It feels like a Sunday School answer to the question.  But I’m learning sometimes Sunday School answers are just the right ones.  If I can learn to love my fellow brothers and sisters like Christ loves them, the rest will fall into place.  I will have more compassion, more mercy, more grace, open hands, open arms, an open heart.  And one wonderful year.  May it be so.

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  2. i am the most indecisive person on the planet. i seemed to agonize over my one word this year. in fact, i ended up changing my mind at the last minute. so it was so fun to hear your process, your journey of getting to your one word.

    LOVE. it’s not generic or sunday school at all. it’s powerful. we have watered-down ideas of it because we love pizza and we love God. but i’m excited to see how your focus on LOVE this year is going to unfold in your life. i have a feeling you’re gonna get it — really get it — a whole lot more. and i need to get it too, so i’ll be anxious to follow your journey!

  3. “But I’m learning sometimes Sunday School answers are just the right ones.”

    What a great lesson, and a powerful word. Love can seem so fluffy and cop out…but Love is something we can never fully grasp.

    God’s love for us. Our love for Him. Our love for others. Others love for us. Love for our enemies. Love for the broken. You’ve got a lot God can do in your life with this one four-letter word.
    Melissa Brotherton recently posted…Sometimes you just have to write it out…My Profile

  4. Oh, I really love your post!
    And what an awesome word for 2011!

    Can’t wait to see what you discover with Him this year.

    xxx M.

  5. Hi there . . . found you via Alece’s One Word post. I love the word LOVE– and think its a powerfully hard thing to really live out. I was talking to this lady who is like a for-real superhero– She and her husband start and run Free Burma Rangers. Literally, they go in and rescue families from an abusive military gov’t. And she said the word she got from God years ago that still is her guiding directive in ministry was simply, “BE LOVING.”

    And she said those two simple words have radically impacted how she treats other and herself and God. Beautiful. Anyway, just wanted to share that and say that I’m glad I found you . . .

    Love from Thailand, Laura
    Laura@Life Overseas recently posted…The Best of Latitude 18 2010My Profile

    • I know this will sound trite but even the last few days it is really changing the way I look at people and situations. Thanks for sharing about your friend and commenting!