WEEK 01 | WORDS FOR THE YEAR 2018
I want to commit to writing once a week on this blog for a year. Do you think I can do it? We'll see. Consistency is one of my words for the year. I'm inspired by the current reigning Queen Elizabeth, the Queen of England. The Crown Season 2 has me thinking my thoughts in a strong British accent (her specific dialect). What I admire most is her commitment to the call, her showing up on the daily, her vulnerability and sacrifice to put herself and her family on the front line for the sake of her country and fellow men. I want to do the same. My other word for the year is royalty, which lines up just peachy. I will live like God's daughter, which is who I am. He is the King of Kings and as His daughter, that sets me line to be a queen. Humility and duty, a huge part of that role, is how I'd like to tackle my 2018. And I'd like to invite all you sons and daughters of the Most High God to join me and live out of your inheritance that our Father grants us. May we see the need of the people and plead with our Father to show us how we can help.
We're only 3 days into 2018, and I already feel a pull to greater heights and a mindset shift. Every dot on my calendar this week is marking a meeting, appointment or commitment that I am going to be stretched way beyond my comfort zone and is giving me ample opportunity to respond tactfully, lovingly, dutifully. Way to kick off a new year, right? Some of those dots entail praying from a platform - in FRONT of people. Albeit those people are my people, my church family and there's many stepping out of their comfort zones and doing it. But why is it that speaking in front of strangers seems far less scarier than speaking in front of people you have just previously chatted with in the foyer 10 minutes prior? Yet queen-like mindset commence. Another hum dinger this week, is having had to have hard conversations. This is not my strong suit and literally makes me cringe. However, I know it's something I need to get over quick because hard conversations are where change begins and are actually so rewarding once you work through them and come out on the other side. This week's main takeaway is that communication is key. It needs to be clear, concise, consistent and you have to say what you mean to get your desired outcome. Rocket science, I tell ya.
On the creative front, many possibilities are budding. My passion project is taking shape. I've been working on it, praying on it for about a year now and I feel now's the time to announce its name. It's called The Marriage Project. It's essentially an extension of my heart for story telling and a branch of the wedding photography business I'm currently deeply invested into. These two projects/business have become like my children. The days I wake up, with my hair in a sloppy bun and no makeup, to take care of their needs first certainly feel like preparation for children And as a full disclaimer to all the mother's laughing at me right now, I know I'm most certainly in for a rude awakening because it's probably not at all the same. But right now, staying home and indoors for long periods of time, feeling like I need to come up for air and get outside for just a few brief minutes sure feels like something most momma's share about. A business takes a lot of nurturing and caring for, and the vision behind them each have been a labor in love and I still am waiting for them to grow up in maturity. One is 2 years old, and the other is still "a bun in the oven". Or actually a "seed in the barn". How sweet God is to give me this promise for the year. You ready? It's from Haggai 2. I'm an Old Testament girl through and through. I love a good walk through the Corinthians and Romans always blows me away no matter how many times I've read it before. But there's nothing like some good ole fashioned Hosea, or Job and in this case, Haggai.
"Think about this eighteenth day of December."
(or in my case the 27th when I read this...)
"The day when the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid. Think carefully.
I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn.
You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you."
Haggai 2:18-19
Even the address of this verse, Haggai 2:18-19. 2018, verse 18 to carry into 2019. These are the things I get excited to unearth on the daily. Stepping into God's Word is like lighting a torch through a dark tunnel and coming upon treasure. My life is a daily treasure hunt. How fun to collect and store up all the diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, found in His Word and nestle them in my crown (wink). It's a treat and a freedom I don't take for granted. So on this 3rd day of the new year and this first week, I write to you (whoever is out there reading this) and I pray this blesses you and finds you well. Keep seeking the Lord, and you will find Him and His promises. I have a good feeling about this year. Here's to NEW beginning's! One week down, 51 to go.
Love,
Alysha