2012 ~ My One Word

Every month, I get an email from Compassion Bloggers with a suggestion about what to blog about to draw attention to the needs of those ministered to through Compassion International. When I received this month's email, the assignment was a little bit different. Brianne shared about her former boss Chris, Compassion's blog and social media manager, and the new approach to resolutions that he taught her. Chris shares in his blog posts over the last 4 years about asking God to guide him to one word to be his theme for the next year. Chris learned this concept from what Dan Britton, senior vice president of ministry advancement with Fellowship of Christian Athletes wrote about his own one word experiences.

So I decided to take the challenge of choosing one word for 2012. About a year ago, I began reading Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts. I made it about 3/4 of the way through and then work at the hospital and issues with my health became so overwhelming that I sat it aside and didn't finish it. I picked it back up a couple of weeks ago and have been reading it again, this time slower and with more purpose, watching the videos from (in)courage about it and journaling about each chapter in addition to keeping my gratitude list.

I've long been a reader of Ann's blog but it wasn't until this rereading that I truly understood what the word eucharisteo means. For those who haven't read the book and/or without a Greek background, the meaning is thanksgiving. However, it also has the word charis in it which means grace. And the derivative of that is chara which means joy.

The word picture that Ann gives on page 33 of her book is what really drove things home for me though.

As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible. Joy is always possible. Whenever, meaning--now; wherever, meaning--here. The holy grail of joy is not in some exotic location or some emotional mountain peak experience. The joy wonder could be here! Here, in the messy, piercing ache of now, joy might be--unbelievably--possible! The only place we need see before we die is this place of seeing God, here and now.

I whisper it out loud, let the tongue feel these sounds, the ear hear their truth.

Charis. Grace.
Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving.
Chara. Joy.

A triplet of stars, a constellation in the black.

A threefold cord that might hold a life? Offer a way up into the fullest life?

Grace, thanksgiving, joy. Eucharisteo.

God has already been speaking to me mightily as I seek to make eucharisteo a part of my day to day life. And I definitely feel God's leading to continue in this.

So, my one word for 2012 will be eucharisteo. I am looking forward to 2012 and grace, thanksgiving, and joy!



What's your one word for 2012? I look forward to journeying with you in the days, weeks, and months ahead!