l.O.v.E.

i have never heard of naming years.  it makes sense, though.  instead of a "new year's resolution" that is broken before january 2nd... 

recently, i read this and this and it just seemed to come to me.  as i prayed about what 2011 might look like for me and my family, the words hardly out of my mouth, my word was there...in my mind.  it made perfect sense to me.  i understood EXACTLY what He meant and why this should be my word for 2011.

my word...love...

as a NOUN it means...

• strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties  
• affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests
• an assurance of affection
• warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion
• the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration
• a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment
• unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another 

as a VERB it means...

• to hold dear : cherish 
• to like or desire actively : take pleasure in  
• to thrive in

as an INTRANSITIVE VERB it means

• to feel affection or experience desire

i need to learn so much about this little four letter word...  i say that i love my family; but, what does that look like?  how does it feel to them?  when i fail, which i do often, do i pray that GOD HIMSELF fills the gap?  i say that i love GOD; but, what does that look like?  am i HIS hands and feet?  do i give the part of me that maybe i want to be selfish with and just let someone else do what HE is asking?

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end. 

BUT....the BIGGEST HARDEST part for me is to apply all this to myself.  loving myself and letting GOD love me.  accepting HIS love.  accepting the fact that even at my worst, GOD loves me and wants me.  HIS grace is sufficient.  if i don't accept HIS love, i can not accept the love of anyone else; because any persons love will never ever be enough for me.  so....this year, the year of 2011...i will work and pray to remove my walls and just let GOD love me and love others through me.  i have a sneeky suspicion HE's up to something good!!!!

This is what God says..."Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.  It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.