A Year to Breathe and Become

I'm sure it seems a little late to be posting a hopes-and-plans-and-dreams-for-the-new-year post given that January is gone and we're staring down February already.

But all the folks talking over the last few weeks about their word for 2012 got me to thinking about my own.

2011 turned into the year of the unexpected. When I sat down to reflect on the year at the end of December, I thought there wasn't much to think on. I didn't think much happened. But then God started whispering to my heart...

2011 was the year you opened your heart and built the greatest friendships you've ever had. 

2011 was the year that took you on an adventure halfway around the world. 

2011 was the year I provided for your family. 

2011 was the year you figured out your purpose in life is to bring me glory and make me famous - regardless of what you are actually doing. 

2011 was the year you finally felt content, satisfied, at rest and at peace with your life, with yourself and with Me.

I hardly knew so much happened. But He is right. I can honestly say I loved who I was and what I had done at the close of last year.

And the crazy thing is, I planned for none of it. It all came when I wasn't looking, when I least expected it.

So this year I am hesitant to put  any plans or goals on this year. Sure there are things I want to do, places I want to go. But I'm reluctant to say, "At the end of 2012, I will have done....." or "At the end of 2012, I will have gone..." or "By the end of 2012, I will be..."

To do that would feel like I am stifling and suffocating the coming months.

So that brings me to my word - well, actually my words.

2012 will be the year of breathing, the season of becoming. Whatever that may look like. How ever that turns out.

And I think it's going to be a good year.