Word of the Year: PEACE

   I prayed much about this at the beginning of the year . . . PEACE is the word God gave me to represent the main character that He desires to grow in me this year (2011).
 
   There are 3 points that God outlined in my heart around this word:
  1.  Peace, as in peace that passes all understanding and removes fear from my heart.
  2.  Peace, as in my behavior and attitude towards my kids and husband.  In my definition of this word . . . it includes having a gentle, kind spirit and tone of voice.  It includes patience and love.  Acting in this way brings peace into my relationships.
  3.  Doing my Piece.  I am a firm believer that we can in NO way EARN our salvation . . . but I also believe that we are not called to sit and do nothing.  We are called to seek God with all our hearts . . . to draw near to God . . . to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  So . . . this year . . . doing my piece will include praying about God putting this character in my spirit.  It will involve becoming aware of my actions in this area . . . making an effort to learn what God says about this (reading and memorizing appropriate scripture, reading godly books on the topic etc.)

    January 1st of this year God spoke to me in the most wonderful way during my quiet time.  He confirmed to me that "peace" is really what He has in store for me this year!  I am so excited to see what He does.  I am excited to look back a year from now and know that I am not the same girl.  When I was listening to His Spirit . . . I heard Him call me "Winifred."  My first thought was, "What on earth?? I really DON'T like the name Winifred." Lol.  Then . . . I looked up the meaning.  It means "peaceful friend."  WOW.  I totally receive THAT from my Father . . . peaceful friend.  He was prophetically speaking what He has in store for me . . . and it just makes me giddy! :)