A Twist You Didn’t See Coming

In a neurotic sort of way, I desire everything to go according to plan. Anytime there is a deviation even in the slightest bit, I tend to freak out. My worst fear is to hear a knock at the front door from a friend just stopping by to say hello not because our house is a wreck, but because it isnt completely spotless and looks like a museum. The same worry comes over me when I get lost, a random bill appears in the mail or my heater breaks when the temperature is suppose to be below freezing.http://reteks.ru

I dont deal well with the unexpected, which is funny considering Im part of the My One Word project. Just like me, you probably choose your word at the beginning of the year with a picture of how it was going to transform your character. Take patience for instance. You thought using this word as your lens to view the world would help you while stuck in traffic, dealing with a difficult coworker or enduring a tantrum by your child.

This did occur, but then your word began to do something different, something that was off your radar. God used patience in ways you would never have imagined. The outcome you were expecting as a result of your word was far less than the transformation God had in mind.

Patience no longer became about making your world a little easier to deal with. Instead, this word shaped the way you viewed situations which one appeared hopeless a lost job, a sick relative, a broken relationship, even victory over a personal struggle. Patience was now interconnected with hope, persistence and fortitude.

What began as a quest to become better equipped at handling inconveniences, ended up becoming a way of seeing situations differently and exposing whom you trust when faced with uncertainty. Even in the midst of all this, you noticed gaps in your character and things you wish you could change. Yet, you also saw how your word allowed change to occur in areas that you had no clue you needed.

It provided a way for you to address the things you where unaware of or largely ignored. Now, dont ignore this tension. Some of you have begun to contemplate what your One Word will be for the upcoming year. You want to pick a word that will make up for the gaps you discovered in 2011.

Your word is not some promise you will keep for a year to be better. The intent of your word is that it will become a part of you from here on out. Your next word will spring forth from the places where you feel you left off from your first. Each word you choose builds upon each other as Gods heart becomes embedded in your character. So, it appears I was wrong; sometimes the unexpected can be a good thing and bring change you would never have experienced otherwise.

8 Responses to “A Twist You Didn’t See Coming”

  1. ann says:

    It’s funny that I see this today. I was loooking over my schedule to find time to write about who I was 12 months ago and who I am today. My word encompassed so much more than I thought it would.

  2. Ms. Kathleen says:

    Wow, this is indeed a challenge and I do think I need to join in…

    The first word that came to me was contentment. I’ll be praying about this.

  3. Bev Ware says:

    My first time to visit the site. A friend told me about it. I think God has something for me! Happy New Year 2012!

  4. Lynn says:

    Laugh

  5. Charmain says:

    My Healthy Lifestyle Habits class has this exercise as part of the class assignments. And oh how I think this is so helpful especially for people who are hurting in some way. I have already shared your website with a friend and together we look forward to the growth we will receive.

  6. Ms. Kathleen says:

    My One Word has turned into a weekly series… So much to learn 🙂

  7. Paula Parkison says:

    I’ve gotten a “word” for the year every year since 1978. What an amazing journey. In 2009 my word was “transition.” My husband (a pastor), and I felt we would be “moving on.” Indeed. He went home to be with the Lord in February that year. God graciously walked me through the hardest transition of my life. God is always spot on, even when I’m not…but I am diligent to seek His definition for the word of each year. As I get older (66), each word becomes more precious and I become more purposeful in paying attention to what He is doing.

  8. Marlene says:

    God moved me to keep working on ME, and my husband has grown by watching me. We’ve come so much closer and we share and communicate on a much deeper level than ever before. The biggest lessons I’ve learned is patience and trust. Trusting God will deliver me where I need to be, and patience to wait for His timing, not mine.