At church Sunday we were instructed to pull a card containing a word. The word would be our personal word for 2012. We were instructed to not look at the cards before drawing - no picking or choosing your word - this was God's word for you.
I was excited to draw a word randomly. What a concept to allow the word to choose me (or be given to me) instead of me conjuring a focus for the year. Fun! I anticipated drawing a word like Create or Gratitude or even Patience, something rather concrete that I'd know right off the bat what it meant and how I could incorporate it into my life.
Alas, Forgiveness is the word I drew. Hmm. I know what Forgiveness means, but what does it mean to me personally? There's the obvious answer: seek forgiveness for myself, forgive others, or even forgive myself. But I've never thought I had a problem with forgiveness. I don't harbor a bunch of ill will or anger and I couldn't think off of the top of my head of anything for which I needed forgiveness. Hmm.... I was stumped! It was just a random word right? And I quickly brushed it away.
Then came time to stand and sing a hymn. I stood up, grabbed a hymnal from amongst the ones before me and flipped to the specified page. Just guess what I found. Did you guess? Alright, I'll tell you: another card for Forgiveness! Whoever sat in this same seat at the early service had also drawn the word Forgiveness. And left it behind. For me to find. Again. Hello! I get the message. Well, sort of anyway. I'm still not sure exactly what God intends for me when it comes to Forgiveness, but I look forward to finding out!
Do you have a word for 2012? I'd love to hear about it!
PS - Last night we had a potluck church followed by some music. Folks were again offered the opportunity to draw a word. I declined - I already got my word loud and clear. Interestingly enough, most all of my family drew the word Patience. Now THAT is a word I KNOW I could use this year! I hope collectively my family has enough Patience for ME, too! : )
