2012

a few weeks ago i posted a blog about naming our years...so here's what i have to say about 2012...and the name i've chosen for this year...

“Perfectly unafraid.”

I want to enter into this year with a posture of openness. Ready to receive whatever comes my way. To take risks. To know and allow myself to be known in ever deepening ways. To put down roots in deeper ways – knowing all that it costs me. I want to dance in freedom – willing to engage and celebrate and be present – aware of, but without regard for the risks.

(to quote a song I recently bought by Ben Shive…called “The Fire Pit”) - here's the link if you care to hear the inspiration for my 2012 year name...

“Little girls chasing fireflies

 so close to the open flame.

So perfectly unafraid”

I don’t want to hedge my bets. I don’t want the way things have been determine what will be. I don’t want to build walls around my heart. I want to be present. Here. Now. I want to receive from the Lord in ways I only can with a free sprit. I want to be open and ready to receive joy and sorrow. Things I want and things I don’t want. They beauty and the darkness that awaits in this next season. The joy and sorrow. The cup. I have no idea what 2012 holds. No idea the losses I will face. No idea what new traumas I will walk through with my friends. I don’t know all the celebrations I’ll be a part of either. I can’t know the good or the bad that waits. But I trust the God in whom I hope. He is the anchor for my soul. So I will walk, I want to walk into 2012 in joyful confidence…perfectly unafraid. Unfettered like a child. Trusting. (how else can you be without fear?!) Trusting in the One whose love drives out fear. Trusting that He will continue to provide for me. Trusting that He will hold me and that He will continue to surround me with community to love me and be with me in the middle of all that awaits in 2012. Joys. And sorrows. Celebration. And grief. Laughter. And tears. Anger. Struggle. Frustration. And hope. And peace. Community. Love. And always hope.

Hello 2012. I’m walking into you with my eyes and heart set on living you “perfectly unafraid”