REACHING...

 Reaching: To stretch or put forth; to arrive (a destination); to obtain; to grasp (seize firmly)  or touch something; to strive or yearn; to move forward; to gain with effort; achieve, obtain, gain, compass (accomplish)

 This new year has taken me by surprise.  Fresh vistas of opportunity are opening themselves wide and I have in four very short days had much to contemplate.  Big decisions have been hovering over the Quill about which new directions to follow.  The last few days have been spent putting forth the effort of deciding the distinct destination I need to aim for.

A couple of times a year I take a few days to pull away from everything and give some concentrated time and attention to assess where I am and where I am going.  During this time away I do a sort of mental check list of spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, and work oriented areas of my life.  I spend time seeking guidance on what is working and what is not, if changes need to be made, etc.

 I have never been one to make resolutions, they always seem to focus on the negative things I dislike about myself that I want to change and fall off the wagon in doing so in a very short period of time.  The list of my flaws are always glaring and long and it does not take much time before I am hopelessly discouraged.  I set myself up for failure by trying to focus on too many areas that I feel need to be changed.  There a too many targets and I can't seem to hit any of the bulls eyes!

This year I am trying a fresh and exciting approach with just one single focal point, a simple single word...REACHING.  I did not choose this word, it chose me.  I will spare you the details of how I arrived at this conclusion but, suffice it to say, I know that the Lord will use this word in my life throughout this year.

This is a word that requires action and at this juncture in my life that is exactly what I need.  My method is simple.  I have decided each day to invite this word into my life in whatever way God intends for it to be used.  I have incorporated it into my morning prayer time.  Each day I am simply asking that He would enable me to live my word allowing Him to direct and guide me into the kind of person we both desire me to become.

This word is not just related to my character but also has an application from how I will minister and serve in the coming year to career path decisions.  I find it very comforting that this one single word is so all encompassing.  I only have to focus on one single thing...REACHING...stretching forth my arm, extending my hand, and opening my palm to take His guiding hand.

I intend to grasp on firmly and reach for some dreams that I have yearned for, hoping that this single focus of REACHING will propel me forward to a destination of achievement in realizing the birth of those dreams.  What about you, do you have a resolution?  A special word of the year?  What is the secret of your success in navigating through each new year?  I'd love to hear from you!

I am linking to The Lettered Cottage: This Little Word of Mine link party.