Battles and Birthdays

As my 32nd birthday approached I began thinking about how I would like to celebrate. The last couple of years have been filled with large gatherings of amazing friends in restaurants, in homes and in movie theaters, complete with gifts and an abundance of laughter. As someone with a sanguine temperament, I loved every bit of that kind of celebration, yet, as 2013 approached, I knew that this year was going to be different.

Backtrack with me for a second.... In January of 2011, I became aware of this concept called My One Word. The idea is that at the beginning of each year, instead of conjuring up a long list of resolutions that are likely to be broken, you pick just one word as your focus for that year. Instead of setting yourself up for failure, you give yourself a challenge, a task, a hope for the year to come. For 3 years now, I have prayed to God that He would reveal to me a word that He wanted me to focus on. The first year my word was deliberate. That year I made lifestyle changes, formed new habits, pursued new friendships and learned what it was like to live life deliberately. It was good. Last year, my word was sacrifice. From the beginning it didn't sound like any fun, but God showed up in my obedience to be sacrificial. I was called to sacrifice comfort and pride in order to take a life changing trip to China. I was and am still being called to sacrifice my relatively easy, orderly daily life and presumed knowledge about parenting, while I help raise two children who now live under my roof. I'll admit that it hasn't always been easy, but it has been so worth it.

For 2013, My One Word is BATTLE. Wow. Can't wait to see what this brings!?! Actually, I don't think it's as bad as it sounds. I'm certain that part of the reason is so that I can remember that as a Christian I am a part of a very real battle that is going on in the spiritual realm. Sometimes I feel the pressure of the darkness around me and I think "Why am I struggling with this?" or "Why is this happening to me?" I must be mindful that I am a threat to the enemy. And the deeper into relationship that I get with God, or the more that I do to spread the love of Christ, the more of a target I am. But, I willingly soldier up, because I already know who has won this battle. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) I also think that my word for this year is to remind me that there are people in my life who are willing to stand beside me or to go before me in battle against the enemy. I recently watched a very close friend be angry at the enemy on my behalf. It was a powerful moment. Even more recently a few steadfast prayer warriors, helped usher hope back in to my life. In the family of Christ we belong to each other. It's good for me to recognize that.

So, what do battles and birthdays have to do with one another?

This year for my birthday I wish to extend a challenge. For anyone who wishes to celebrate my birthday with me, I ask that you consider helping me reach a goal of 32 Acts of Kindness. Let us be mindful of the battle against fear and hopelessness that surrounds us. Let us be warriors against complacency and instead be mindful. Let us choose to fight against the self-seeking culture that we live in and spread kindness. I started with my first act on January 1st. I have a neighbor who isn't always pleasant, who doesn't pay for trash pick up and often lets his trash pile up on his front porch. I have been picking up his trash, as often as it is left out, and putting in our trash bin. I'm sure that no one has seen me doing it. It feels good. My friend Julie and I also gifted someone a Starbucks gift card the other day at Target. We prayed God would show us who to give it to and we both agreed on a lady we passed with a small child. She was surprised and grateful. Funny thing is, I happened to see the same lady at our church last Sunday. I was in a lamentable mood so I didn't approach her, but I will definitely connect with her next time I see her. I'm curious to see what God does with that "coincidence".

Celebrating with me can be done together or on your own. I'm sure I will still have movie dates, lunches or shopping trips to have a little birthday fun, but when on these outings my friends and I will be looking for opprotunities to bless someone. Whether that looks like holding doors open, paying for someone's meal, ticket, coffee. etc. or committing to pay 32 people with compliments that day, it will be going beyond ourselves and our own little world and being open to the opprotunities to bless others. One friend has talked about making blessing bags for the homeless and making it a point to hand them out while on our way to the activity of the day. Whatever God puts on your heart. Go for it! Let me know if you want me to join you, I'll make every effort to. And PLEASE share with me, preferable on this blog, if you have completed any Acts of Kindness on my behalf, so that I can keep track and make sure I make it to 32.

"What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of kind." - Cleveland Armory



To read more about My One Word visit - http://myoneword.org/