Receiving 2016

There is just something about the turning of the calendar from one year to the next that is inspiring.  A fresh, clean slate for creating a me that is just a little bit more improved (inside and out) and a chance to put myself out there, love a little more, make a few mistakes (and learn from them), treat myself and others just a little kinder.  I’m not so much on setting actual resolutions as I am on setting a theme for the year that will guide me along the way.  Of course by choosing a “theme” and purposely changing my mindset and response to situations, there are bi-products that can be checked off my list as actions and that feels nice too!

I knew 2015 was going to be a busy year full of exciting times but also holding many challenges along the way.  Our family would spend many weekends apart and on the road which would require me to be a little more organized than usual.  I knew that being present was what I needed to focus on the most.  No matter whether I was home, at work, in the car or sitting at some ballpark somewhere I needed to be present and be in the moment as much as possible.

So how did I do?  Well I honestly can say I did better than I thought I would but maybe not as perfectly as I could have done.  I was more organized through parts of the year and I also made an effort to set aside specific time for my blog that would not interfere with my family time.  One on one dates with my husband and my kids were definitely something I planned a little more than normal.  God was present in my life probably more than ever but I could still trust him more by being more present with him daily.   At the end of the year, I can say, if nothing else, being present was on my mind in most interactions.

In December I participated in an advent devotional and towards the end the author notes the gift of God is there, we need only receive it.  Receive!  That is all we have to do is receive.  I knew this would be my word for 2016.

When I looked up the definition of receive I was a little surprised.  In my mind I only thought of this as something being given to me but the verb receive is much more than that.

1. be given, presented with, or paid (something)
2. suffer, experience, or be subject to (specified treatment)

I think as children of God we are always trying to give as we are called to do.  We are giving love to our family and others, giving grace every chance we get (or at least thinking about it) and giving our resources to help others.  Can I really be the giver I want to be without first receiving?  Without receiving the love of God how can I pour my love on others?  If I haven’t really received the grace God so freely gives can I truly give grace freely to others?  You know the kind of grace without strings or hidden judgement behind their back.    Do I give my resources (financial and time) haphazardly without truly reaching out and baring the burden of others? Have I put myself out there to be used in situations where I am most needed?

In 2016 I want to be more about receiving.  I want to receive all the love my friends and family have to give without hidden expectations.   I want to receive in the exact way they need to give it.  I want to take a risk and receive a burden I know God has prepared me for but that I have been too afraid to take.  I want to stop remembering all the mistakes in my past and fully receive God’s grace so that I may stop judging the mistakes of others.  I want to really open my heart fully and receive the word of God deep in my soul the way I know he wants me to.

Of course one of the other gifts God gives us is the gift of rest.  I want to learn to receive rest as the gift it is instead of something getting in the way of my to do list.

I want to receive ideas freely and receive others with a listening ear and a warm heart.

I am so incredibly guilty of always wanting more and always thinking ahead even if only for a day.  Even today I had a contractor give me a bid and I actually said “if I can just have these few things finished I will be happy”.  Really?  I AM happy and in 2016 I want to receive each day for what it is; the celebrations with the not so glamorous; the joyous and the sad.

I will leave you with one last quote from Ann Voskamp.  This lady has a way with words and I would really recommend any of the books she has written.

Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change.  – Ann Voskamp

Did you choose a word this year or are resolutions more your style?

Linking up today with Andrea for her Show and Tell Tuesday series.  You can find all the S&T prompts for the year in her post here.  For all of my past Show & Tell Tuesday posts you can hop over here.

Also linking with Laurel at Alphabet Salad and her word of the year linkup.

Find all the linkup parties I’m joining by visiting my contact page here.