What's Up?

I was inspired by the ladies on the Five in a Row board and Ann Voskamp to choose a word for 2013. I had heard about this concept for several years now but hadn't fully understood the purpose of the exercise. So right after Christmas I read the book "My One Word" and got really enthused about doing this.

I've spent the last few weeks "interviewing" word candidates, praying about it, and looking up scriptures and definitions, and just listening to my heart. I also talked to Terry, Cathy and my sisters about it.

You know, if I had stopped there and not even chosen a word, I think it would still have been a worthwhile exercise. Trying to distill my hopes for growth into one word has really helped me to get a handle on my heart.

I'm aware that choosing one word means NOT choosing other great words, and that sort of bothers me. I am tempted to choose more than one. But that sort of defeats the purpose, and, Lord willing, there will be other years.

I did, however, purposefully choose a word with multiple meanings. Is that cheating? Perhaps, but I like to think it just means I'm getting a lot of bang for my buck.

So the word for 2013 is SEASON. It has three primary meanings which I will list in order of importance to me:

season: A time of some continuance, but not long

Mom's death and Rebecca's departure to college has really got me thinking that the time I have left with my kids at home is short. I don't want to waste it (and I can waste time with the best of them), and I also don't want to spend it looking back and wishing they were younger (and I was younger, too). Mostly, I want to spend this season doing what God wants me to do and trying to listen to Him daily to figure out what that is.

season: that which gives a relish (noun); to render more agreeable, pleasant or delightful; to give relish or zest to by something that excites, animates or exhilarates (verb)

This part of the definition has both a literal and figurative meaning to me. I want to enhance the flavor of my family with my good attitude and kind words. I also want to speak the love language of my boys (including Terry) by feeding them good food. I want to do a better job with family mealtimes. This is an area where I often "grow weary in doing good." I think having great meals and good table conversation is really one of the most practical ways that I can make the most of this season of life.

season: to become mature; to grow fit for use

I don't want to fight against becoming older but let God mature me and use me right here at age 51

So that's it for now. One of my biggest time wasters is the internet, so I want to turn off the computer now!