BOLD

Happy New Year! Wow, 2012. It seems each year passes by quicker than the last. 2011 was my year to be FREE. A year a freedom it was. God granted my hearts desire to walk out this past year in the freedom only He provides. Daily He gave me opportunities to grow in His freedom. Some days I met Him head on and other days I was less than a willing participant. ;) I can honestly say I am so thankful that God was faithful in this area and as I move onto a new year I know He will continue to grow this freedom He freely gives.

My word this year is BOLD. I tried to choose a different word. Bold would not leave me alone. When I started thinking of what my word would be it was the FIRST word that came to my mind. I quickly dismissed it. Bold = responsibility that I did not want to take on. This word begin to take root over a year ago when I was writing to encourage a friend who was going through a hard time. She had lost someone close to her and I wanted to let her know how God had used her friend to change my relationship with Him, that He had used her friend to give me a gift of prayer and intercession I didn't know I had. Her response to me was BE BOLD with this gift. That sentence comes to me often when I see someone that could use prayer or encouragement. God's word also tells us this in 2 Timothy 1:5
That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.(msg)

Then I was reminded to be bold when asking God for anything and that Boldness and Freedom go hand and hand. 1 John 5:13 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.(msg)

This year what being bold means to me is  that I am going to be BOLD with my faith. Bold with my resources. Bold with my business. Bold in my ministry. Bold in my teaching. Bold in my study. Bold in the care and raising of my children. Bold in my marriage. I am going to live a BOLD life for Christ in every area. With Christ all things are possible! What is your one little word for 2012?

If you want to know more about the idea behind choosing a word of the year check out Ali Edwards blog. She also has a cool giveaway going on right now but it ends TODAY!

And if you haven't seen my Thank YOU at Rooted Images head on over to the blog!