In a Word ~ 2015

I have chosen my word for 2015: PRESENCE, as in "God's presence." 

The definition of "presence" is:

~"the state or act of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing."
~"a person of thing that exists or is present in a place but is not seen."
~"a group of people, especially soldiers or police, stationed in a particular place." 

When I am spending daily time with the Lord, I am quite literally "a different person" than when I am not. I am not as fearful or full of worry. I am focused and understanding what needs to be done. I am not panicked about getting it done. I am able to take tasks one at a time. I am not as selfish. I am more patient and loving. I am focused on others. I am driven by God's Kingdom and sacrificing self with more joy. 

My goal is to live with a constant awareness of being in God's presence with all the accountability and benefit that this would afford. I want to be driven by God's heart of love and grace and patience. I want what is important to him to be important to me.

I want to give up my petty concerns. I'd like to stop worrying about those things that are out of my control. You know those things, like "the car broke down and the mortgage money is now getting my car on the road". Those times come and go and I know God is in control. We'll do our part to work hard and not waste money but at the end of the day provision is something God promises. I can wait for it with peace or with anxiety. I'd like to choose peace.

Oh, and then I'd like to banish certain words from my lips like: "Please excuse the ripped furniture" or whatever the thing is in the house that I think I should be ashamed of when someone comes over but can't or won't do anything about it because it is not the priority right now... I'd rather welcome friends in with a hug and a cup of something warm. I'd rather be focused on a good visit than in how my house looks that day. I do my best with my house like everybody else. I didn't rip the couch...why am I apologizing? God keeps my priorities straight when I let him! 

Then there are those big things God puts on my heart to do...like when we adopted our 4 kids and lived in a foreign country for half a year to do it. When I am living in God's presence, those things are exciting and fun. When I step out of God's presence and think with my selfish, scared brain I think these things are both "crazy" and "impossible". I don't want to miss the adventures God has for me by "living in MY OWN presence." 

 "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."  
~Psalm 139:7-10

Here's to 2015! Let the adventures begin!.