2012 Word Of The Year

So as I mentioned over in this post, January snuck up on me and I hadn't given one minute of thought to what my "Word of the Year" would be for twenty-twelve.

Since then I've been thinking about it, praying about it, wondering about it. And as always, things line up and a word sort of emerges in various circumstances. It's so weird. I mean, out of nowhere a particular word will pop up in conversation. And then I'll be reading in my Bible and that same word will show up somewhere else. And then I'll be listening to a sermon and the word will be used. It's bizarre.

So here's my word for 2012:

GENTLE.

Be gentle. Have a gentle spirit. Speak with gentleness. In my mind it goes right along with calm. And quiet.

Sort of out in left-field, I know. But I believe this is the word I'm supposed to focus on this year. The character trait I think God wants me to develop.

Maddie and I are doing this 8 dates thing that talks about true beauty and God's definition of beauty {as opposed to what the world says is beautiful} and a couple weeks ago we read this verse together. 1 Peter 3:3-4

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment ... INSTEAD, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

Hmmm. Gentleness and a quiet spirit are beautiful and of great worth in God's sight.

I want that. I need that. So that's what I'm asking God to work on in me this year. I always want to be growing and changing for the better and so this year. Until the day I die.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Colossians 3:12