Recently, on the radio in light of the new year listeners were being challenged to self-identify a “word of the year.” The basic idea being to pick a theme word that you'd focus on for the year in all aspects of your life; once you start mediating on the depths and praying for wisdom that there would be great blessings and epiphanies. I didn’t hear the entire talk on the radio, but I think that was the basic premise of challenge. I just kind of took it in and thought – ‘hmm, that’s interesting. If I had a word, what would it be?' Nothing surfaced, so I just kind of went on with my day.
Then over the last week or so, two themes have been emerging in my life; the first one being the theme of thankfulness.
I am thankful for warm blankets.
I am thankful for the smell of friendship in a cup of Orange-Ginger Mint tea.
I am thankful for the sound of a car starting with a new battery and for all the jump-starts that had to happen in between. I am thankful for the jump starts in life on any giving day.
I am thankful for those little oranges that are so good; which when you really focus on the details of that orange: the way it peels apart, the lines, the work of art in image and in taste – it is amazing.
It is easy to make that child-like pondering of, “Wow. This is so cool. Who invented this anyway?” Then when you really start to think of the depths of that, we just have thanks to give to and for the Lord our God and Maker!
Three-hundred and sixty-five days seems like a while to focus on only one theme word – I mean there are so many out there. Why limit yourself. :) Maybe it is just a fear of commitment, but I am not so sure if it will be my word of the year – however for now, for this season. It is a starting place.
The second theme that has been emerging is the idea of thinking on things that are true (Philippians 4:8).
Then over the last week or so, two themes have been emerging in my life; the first one being the theme of thankfulness.
to express gratitude or appreciation;
a grateful feeling or acknowledgment
I am thankful for warm blankets.
I am thankful for the smell of friendship in a cup of Orange-Ginger Mint tea.
I am thankful for the sound of a car starting with a new battery and for all the jump-starts that had to happen in between. I am thankful for the jump starts in life on any giving day.
I am thankful for those little oranges that are so good; which when you really focus on the details of that orange: the way it peels apart, the lines, the work of art in image and in taste – it is amazing.
It is easy to make that child-like pondering of, “Wow. This is so cool. Who invented this anyway?” Then when you really start to think of the depths of that, we just have thanks to give to and for the Lord our God and Maker!
Three-hundred and sixty-five days seems like a while to focus on only one theme word – I mean there are so many out there. Why limit yourself. :) Maybe it is just a fear of commitment, but I am not so sure if it will be my word of the year – however for now, for this season. It is a starting place.
The second theme that has been emerging is the idea of thinking on things that are true (Philippians 4:8).
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
In some ways I think those two themes are intertwined. In short, if we focus on the realities for which we are thankful; it is only natural to be thinking on things that are true. We find hope in the reverse also: If we focus on the things that are true; we can’t help but being thankful. While this seems like a simple idea, I am pretty sure that as my word of the season continues to be a part of the day to day – there may be more writing on that later.
In closing, I never really understood why we had to only keep one day for Thanksgiving, or even only one season? It is so easy to be caught up in the junk of life when we lose focus and heart of that joy. The joy of true thankfulness. So, here’s to the adventure ahead: embracing the themes of thankfulness and truth! A journey for which --- yes, I am thankful.
