A Word

 

Good morning friends,

... or is it?  I hope y'all enjoyed a pleasant -- and safe -- New Year's eve.  I managed to stay awake just long enough to join the (televised) festivities in Nashville.

I can never remember if the black-eyed peas are supposed to be consumed December 31 or January 1?   I opened a sacrificial can just a bit ago ... pondering if adding it to the leftover green bean casserole will make it more palatable.

My favorite pizza joint in the hood had another idea --

According to their Facebook post, they did this as a novelty to set in the window and somebody actually came up and demanded a slice! 

😨

So ... who's ready?
Did you make any resolutions?

I like what Pastor Janet said yesterday morning:

"Some of us will make new year's resolutions -- but what if?  What if, in addition to a resolution ..... what if we commit to a revelation?
A revelation that doesn't leave us the way we've been ..... not simply a resolution.

(If anyone's interested in listening, here's a link to the service.  Her sermon begins shortly after the 27-minute mark.)

What do you want for 2024?

Many people have chosen a Word for the year on which to focus. 
I did the same thing a few years ago.  Then, like my resolutions, it went slip-sliding away.

This year, a Word found me.

This may sound like I've gone off the deep end, but.

In the past decade, whenever I'm in that place between deep sleep and wakefulness, I hear a voice.  No, I can't tell you if it's male or female or what (lol).  Still, there's an emphasis. 

The first time it happened, I was still living in Arizona, working full-time with little thoughts of retiring or relocating.

Clear as a bell I heard, "Time's running out."
That's all.

Fast forward.
Shortly after moving here, Pastor Janet stopped by for coffee.  Privately, she may have wondered how someone (me) who was raised in the church could be so ignorant about Scripture, the Holy Trinity.

Anyway, she likened the Holy Spirit to a friend.  A comforter.  She suggested I try to quiet my mind ... to invite it to speak to me.

Long story short (ha!) ...

Prior to a few weeks ago, I've only heard the 'voice' on two occasions. Just one word.   I've written them down, but I'm still waiting for them to make sense.


In early December, it happened again.  Not once, but several times.  Sometimes throughout the day I'd hear

"Temporary"

So, God willing 'n the creek don't rise ...

I'm going to do my best to live in the PRESENT

..... not looking back with grief and guilt or looking forward with anxiety. Apprehension.

It's a tall order.  Already this morning I've failed.
Hurray for second chances!  Or a ka-jillion!

Hurray for 2024!

Hugs, Myra