Embrace
I think I mentioned a while back that my department at work was doing the One Word exercise where you focus on one word throughout the year, rather than a list of resolutions. We are doing it based in the fiscal year, so June 30th marked the end of my first year. Overall, I really liked the experience.
My word for FY14 was EMBRACE. When I picked it, I thought it would be a year about embracing the plan God had for my life, both professionally and personally. I am not very good at planning for the future and when people ask me what my five-year plan is, I usually stare blankly back at them and say, "I'm not really sure." This year, I was ready for God to let me in on the secret so I could embrace His plan, whatever that meant...kids or no kids, growing in the job I love or finding a new one, etc. The problem is, it didn't really go that direction. God didn't show me what He has for my future exactly, but I do think He more clearly explained why He created me.
It turns out FY14 was all about embracing people. I let more people into my life and really started forming relationships in our life group. I got to comfort a friend and coworker who was going through one of the hardest times of her life. I got to better understand someone who had hurt me in the past. But most of all, I got to show God's love to those around me. I got to embrace them and learn how to have grace for people. And through all of this, I discovered that I'm the happiest when I'm serving/appreciating others. So I guess I'm not really sure where I'm headed, but no matter where that is, I know I my mission in life is to love God and show his love to those around me.
That's why I'm even more excited about my word for FY15, which is GIVE. I'll let you know how it goes, but in the mean time, here are some pictures that remind me of my journey with embrace.
My word for FY14 was EMBRACE. When I picked it, I thought it would be a year about embracing the plan God had for my life, both professionally and personally. I am not very good at planning for the future and when people ask me what my five-year plan is, I usually stare blankly back at them and say, "I'm not really sure." This year, I was ready for God to let me in on the secret so I could embrace His plan, whatever that meant...kids or no kids, growing in the job I love or finding a new one, etc. The problem is, it didn't really go that direction. God didn't show me what He has for my future exactly, but I do think He more clearly explained why He created me.
It turns out FY14 was all about embracing people. I let more people into my life and really started forming relationships in our life group. I got to comfort a friend and coworker who was going through one of the hardest times of her life. I got to better understand someone who had hurt me in the past. But most of all, I got to show God's love to those around me. I got to embrace them and learn how to have grace for people. And through all of this, I discovered that I'm the happiest when I'm serving/appreciating others. So I guess I'm not really sure where I'm headed, but no matter where that is, I know I my mission in life is to love God and show his love to those around me.
That's why I'm even more excited about my word for FY15, which is GIVE. I'll let you know how it goes, but in the mean time, here are some pictures that remind me of my journey with embrace.
Doing new things with old friends.
Exploring Providence and learning about my coworkers.
Embracing the inner Robertson in all of us.
Living life with our life group.
Bonding with the girls.
Finding our inspiration and creativity.
Welcoming Baby Q into the world.
Finding reasons to celebrate.
Opening my heart to our little four-legged family member.
Even if this is how he repays me!
Anticipating the newest member of the Fox family.
Working as a team...win or lose.
Meeting Miss Morgan
Bringing a smile to someone's face out of the blue.
Encouraging each other and enjoying God's beautiful creation.
Opening up our home to new friends.
Beautifully put, Abby! Thanks for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post and your One Word! Here's to EMBRACE and GIVE!
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