When I saw Lisa’s post about checking-in regarding our Word for Year, I must admit I hadn’t considering my word for sometime. A tool I regularly used was adding my Word to the top of my daily journal page. However, I’d lapsed and now it’s time to get back at it!
Reflections on Word for the Year
When creating my Word for the Year, I mindfully check-in if my word does the following:
1. Holds emotional charge
2. What I want to experience most this year
3. Livens me up
4. Guides direction for my days
My word for 2021 is Journey, and my phrase is Abundant Adventurer. And 2021 has been a journey, but one I never expected. In her post, Lisa writes,
“It’s less about what we’re accomplishing and more about who we are becoming.”
Lisa Notes
For me, it has also been less about my expectations, and more about navigating the waves that come.
Lessons on the Journey
We’ve had a hot summer in Alberta. The dryness, unfortunately, has caused forest fires leading to smokey air. However, the hot days also mean kayaking!
One early summer evening, kayaking with a friend on a local lake, dark clouds began to show in the east. Checking the weather app (whatever did we do without those!) we noticed a storm system coming our way. I started to paddle back to our launching point while my friend stayed watching a deer on the shore of a small island.
Well, the wind picked up. Now, I’m not a bad paddler, but not very strong, so much prefer calm waters. I found myself paddling hard on the left to try to keep my kayak on course. At times, no matter how hard I paddled, I found myself journeying in the wrong direction. Glances back showed my friend having no difficulties. Swallowing my panic, my arms aching, I finally reached the shoreline-but 20 feet from the launch. My kayak bobbed on rocks as I steadied it with my paddle, nosed in on a steep bank full of nettles.
‘What are you doing over there?’ my friend called out to me when he gracefully paddled his kayak to the proper sand bank.
“I tried, I really tried!’ I called out to him. “But the waves were too strong! I couldn’t get over there!”
“I’ll come help you,” he said. He slipped down the bank littered with thorny weeds, helped me out of my boat, and lifted the kayak out of the water.
Even though I had paddled hard toward a destination, the journey took me somewhere else. The event reminded me that when I work hard toward a goal, the journey may include struggles that take me off course, and maybe even to a completely different shoreline! But God will always be there on the journey, wherever I end up, extending His hand and lifting me up to a safe place.
Scripture for the Journey
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:8
Breathing Space Photo
Any news on your word for the year?
What a great reminder that struggles may come as we reach toward the goal. 🙂 We are comforted knowing God is with us in the struggles.
Absolutely! Have a great weekend, Melissa!
Lynn: My word for 2021 is ABIDE. I have had to learn that I can’t go through things by myself. The end of February, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My husband was very good about doing things I needed done. Now, this week, I had some tests done that indicate I may have some other serious issues going on. Please pray for us.
I will be praying for you Ceclia. That is big stuff. You are not alone! May you feel His presence especially through the help and care from others.