Revisiting my Word of the Year
Grace: Abundant grace received thus far, but I still have a long way to go in terms of transformation
One of my earliest posts here was about my choice of a word of the year for 2024. The word that popped into my head was Grace. Because many people who read this might not be Christian, I tried to look at the word from all angles and came up with this list. The first two are growing more important as the days tick onward toward the election here in the USA.
Resist the divisions that the media, partisan pundits and politicians are stoking 24/7.
Be kinder to people I interact with. Everyone seems more stressed these days, so don’t add to it. Another word for this is being gracious, isn’t it?
Stop nurturing petty grievances and move on, whether or not someone has apologized.
Be kinder to myself and try to age more gracefully. Understand my limitations and stop fighting them.
Be less self-reliant and give others the opportunity to help me.
Be alert for the grace inherent in all of creation and give thanks for it.
Give my art and craft to the world as a reflection of God’s grace.
Pause daily to give thanks for all graces received.
Grow the grace of being content with what I have, without coveting more material possessions.
Taking stock, I have made more progress in some areas than others. I seem to be doing the best at aging more gracefully, being more aware of the grace in all creation, and being content with what I have.
I can still hold onto a grudge with with tightly closed hands, and I am out and about more (after staying too long in lockdown mode) and trying to extend more grace, positivity and kindness to people around me.
I am less frustrated and down on myself when I fail at accomplish my daily goals. I have learned that sometimes, the daily goal needs to be rest, read and recharge. Hopefully, I will get back to having some artwork to share soon.
I am most grateful for all of the subtle promptings and unbidden thoughts that have led me to walk away from my lifelong faith community to a new one that is smaller, more welcoming and less limited in its reach. The following writers on substack have provided some of the input into that decision.
Tanner Olson, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Diana Butler Bass you have all nudged me to reach out and find a new faith community after a long time alone in the desert. Also Kimberley Phinney, who is in need of all our prayers right now. Thank you.
‘I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.’ – Anne Lamott
Did you choose a guiding word for 2024? How it is it changed you? Please drop a comment and let me know.
Thank you, Jo, for suggesting this. I had no focus word until just a minute ago. My word is “patience.” Patience with people in my life, and patience with others of whom I know little or nothing at all. And patience with myself. It really stands out when you say that sometimes the daily goal is to rest and care for yourself. Your post carries a lot of weight in few words. I’m glad to hear that you’re involved with a congregation (?) that is more in tune with your own principles. That’s so important. I’d like to share a little prayer that I pray whenever I hear the siren of an emergency vehicle. It’s not always the same, but it’s something like,
Dear Father in heaven, I pray for the safety of our first responders, and for anyone who might be in danger. I pray that everyone will be alright, but if
it’s time for someone to depart this life, I pray that they are saved, and if not I pray that they will have a chance to repent and believe in their heart
and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. This I ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
I pray for someone that I probably don’t know, because the Spirit of God leads me, and I know that someday that siren will be headed for my house, and I hope that someone I don’t know will pray for me.
God bless you and your dear ones, and thank you again for saying so much to think about.
Thanks for this great reminder to circle back to my word, which is expand, to see how it’s playing out for me.