One Word 2015: WRITE

I haven't been doing what the mug says, have I? Evidence below, as my last post was almost two months ago.

In fact, I hit a wall with my 2014 One Word, which was Creative.

I read books about creativity and art, which side of the brain does what, and many other things. But when it actually came to creating, well, that was where I stuck with the familiar: painting pottery like this mug, or two sketches all year in my journal, or even knitting the same kind of scarf (two strands of Lion Brand Hometown yarn, size 50 needles, 6 stitches across in garter).

Not much adventure there. I allowed the word to dictate how I had to be, so I learned avoidance.

Enter the end of 2014, and the expectation of 2015 just around the corner. All I saw in my mind and on my desk was this mug: Write.

I have not used my gift well.

I teach writing, I can write, and I edit others' writing. But I get all wrapped up in my head and just don't write anymore.

So with the one word staring me in the face (literally in my line of vision right now on the windowsill above my desk where I sit typing this blog post), I must do what I must do.

Write.

Proverbs 3:3 says, Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.

Lord, let me be faithful to the gift You have given me.

This post is linked at Bonnie Gray's site here: http://bit.ly/belovedbrews

Past themes:
Brave (2009)
Focus (2010)
Grace (2011)
Listen (2012)
Dream (2013)

Creative (2014)

October 1st: How Can I Possibly Forgive?

Today is the launch day for Sara Horn's new book How Can I Possibly Forgive? Rescuing Your Heart from Resentment and Regret. 

I may have just read this book in the past few weeks, but I can tell it is one that I will return to again and again throughout my life. It is a wonderful book.

How Can I Possibly Forgive? How can we forgive others? Ourselves? How can we heal from resentment, and how can we fight against letting that bitter root grow in our hearts? This book answers all of these questions and more.

Creative

It hardly seems possible that I've been doing this for six years, but the telltale links are at the bottom of this post.

I don't really feel up to writing a whole lot today, which belies the word creative, I suppose. I've been in recovery mode from ear surgery #3 inside of 24 months. I took the winter term off from teaching. I have only subbed one half-day. I've been mourning the loss of the possibility of restored hearing, and getting tired of explaining the anatomy of the ear for those who look confused, and yes, pouting just a little bit. I took a break from writing, from blogging, from blog editing and blog team leading at Wives of Faith, and was lazy if you want to know the truth. I read a lot, wrote very little, and tried to spend more time with my family.

This business of life is hard, sometimes. 

 

I was not really looking very hard for a word to express my theme for 2014. In fact, I was really okay with taking a year off. However, as is the usual mode of themes, it chose me. (Or rather, God hit me over the head with it over and over for the past several weeks.)

I have a small stack of books about art and creativity to read this year. I want to take some time and space to learn to be creative--in whichever medium that takes. Yarn. Paper. Photos. Words on the screen.

The possibilities truly are endless.

Thanks to Melanie at Only a Breath
for the adorable "1 word" template
I was able to edit at PicMonkey.

"In the beginning, God created..." (Genesis 1:1a)

Past themes:
Brave (2009)
Focus (2010)
Grace (2011)
Listen (2012)
Dream (2013)