And Now for the Rest of the Year...

We've got both feet into 2022: time enough to make - and break -resolutions. To start plans and to get sidetracked. To be inspired and to become discouraged. As we venture into the second month of the year, we may begin to wonder at the wisdom of those plans and the potential of reaching those goals. Rather than simply setting aside our plans, I suggest a different way of entering - continuing - this year. A way that allows us grace throughout the year and that has a steady progression that can only be seen over the long haul. Let's set our direction, and then begin the pilgrimage. As the title of Eugene Peterson's book infers: let's begin A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.

The best way to discern that direction is, of course, with God. Many years ago, a friend shared with me her practice of prayerfully choosing a word for the coming year. Since then, I've done this in varying ways, basically reviewing the previous year with God and asking Him for a particular word for the year ahead. Sometimes I've asked for a word to sum up the previous year. I may spend a little time taking note of the struggles and the successes, pondering decisions made and commitments broken, not with regret or condemnation, but with objectivity, and maybe a little grace if I can swing it! It is, in a way, a good process to put the past year "to bed", to not carry its baggage into the new year. How nice would it be to actually be able to leave problems behind - ongoing concerns, health issues, hurts - the moment the calendar flips over from the old year to the next! Since we cannot do that, this might be the next best thing.

This year, I struggled to look at the past year in review...just didn't want to look. It wasn't horrendous but it seemed heavy, weighty, ponderous. I'm not exactly sure why - this might be a good topic for me to explore with my own Spiritual Director (ahem). However, I did ask God for a word for the year ahead. It took a while for something to "land"(most of the past month), and when it did, it was four words, not one!

This year, I received Rest, Trust, Abundance, and Love as my words. (This actually came about from a teaching at my community group - grateful nod to the wonderful instructors!) And after further praying, and noticing the words popping up unexpectedly but persistently in my reading, in conversations, in blogs and podcasts, I felt I had confirmation that those were for me this year. Through the teaching, I learned that I actually spend a lot of my time in the opposites of those words: in striving, judgment, lack and fear. This was eye-opening for me. Now, for example, when I notice that I am feeling fear or lack, I can catch myself (with a little - ok, a lot - of practice!) and ask how God's Love or Abundance is available to me in this situation. Powerful.

So that's my "resolution": to carry these words throughout the year and to pay attention. I might be able to do that. And if not, grace abounds: I try again.

I encourage you to seek your word or words for 2022... whichever way suits you. If you would like to do it in the context of a spiritual direction session, we can do that. You can email me me or visit my website for more info. Either way, I'd love to hear what your word(s) is (are), and what meaning, hope, encouragement or mystery it holds for you so far.

May the knowledge of God's presence and peace fill your heart and soul as you open your hands to receive.