Finding the Right Word

“All my life I've looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time.”        Ernest Hemingway

 Week 28

I recently read a story in Guidepost magazine.  It was written by Debbie Macomber, a popular Christian writer and was titled ‘My Spiritual Vocabulary’.  It begins, “Each year I choose one word to focus on and live by.  These words have comforted me, challenged me and brought me closer to God.  They have changed me.  I’ve used them in my prayers, written about them in my journals, discussed them with my friend.  I’ve seen how they’ve shaped my spiritual path” Ms. Macomber goes on to give examples of some of the words she has selected over the years: hunger, trust, brokenness, prayer and hope.

At the end of the article she mentions how we might want to go about selecting a word. She suggests begin by journaling and start to gather the words that appear over and over again in your life.  “Watch for patterns that develop.  Sometimes the word will choose you…”  She also suggested that you not stay away from a word that you might think would be asking for trouble.  “If God is calling you to explore a weighty word like ‘loss’,” she explains, “don’t let fear stop you.  Blessings will come from trusting him and letting him take you on a journey of discovery.” 

I’m really intrigued by the idea… I think I do that to some extent now…at least I pick a sort of theme.  For example this year I’m focusing on several ideas; ‘my time’, ‘intentional living’, ‘small steps’….. But I particularly like the concept of selecting a word that leads me to a journey of spiritual discovery and encourages me, like Hemingway says; to view it from another perspective, as though I were seeing it for the first time. 

Since reading Macomber’s article I have thought about several ideas for words, perhaps one of the ‘fruits of the spirit’.   I’m already finding a couple of words that continue to nudge me and seem to be pleading, “Pick me, Pick me!”  But, I think I’ll give it another week or so and then select one.  How about you? Do you already work on your spiritual vocabulary; is there one particular word that keeps appearing in your life?  Let’s all find a spiritual word that we would like to explore. We’ll talk again soon; in the meantime keep yourself open to a word that continues to reappear in your life or your thoughts.

I’d love to receive an email with your ideas

Small Step:  Select a word from my spiritual vocabulary to focus on.

I’d like to thank those of you emailed in response to my blog on getting sunshine.  I heard from one reader who reminded me that some folks are allergic to the sun …and moreover presenting our bikini clad, white, bodies before the sun…that would definitely be an overdose…whoa!  I also heard from those of you who already know the importance of the sunshine and get your allotted time each day….and another comment was a reminder of the importance of recess for our children, not just for the physical exercise and a break for the teacher, but so they can receive their dose of life giving sunshine!!!