My Word of the Year

Surrender.


a) to yield to the power, control or possession of another upon compulsion or demand;
b) to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor to another;
c) to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner
d) to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

Probably not what one thinks of when trying to choose a word for the year. 


But let's think about how appropriate it is! 


When my little boy asks me to play with him, I will surrender my to-do list and enjoy him while he still wants my attention.


I will surrender some of my sleep-in time to get up and have my devotional.


I will surrender to the demands of the laundry created by this family of 5.


When my baby needs my attention, I will surrender it to him fully.


I will choose to surrender some of my time on blogs and pinterest to be present for my middle son.


I will surrender to the health-needs of my body and get some exercise!


I will surrender my tenancy to cook whatever I'm hungry for at supper time and actually create a menu system that works for my family.


I will surrender my fear of rejection or being judged and talk about my spiritual life on this here bloggy blog.


Speaking of which, I have three favorite scriptures that have special meaning to me. One is Isaiah 61:3, the "beauty for ashes" text where I got the inspiration for the name of this blog. Another is in Zephaniah 3:17 where it says that God "will rejoice over you with singing." Can you imagine being loved that much?! 


That leads me to my next favorite verse: Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Um, yes please! This God will take my ashes and turn them into beauty, will rejoice over me with singing and has plans for me. Ellie. Those plans include prosperity and hope and a future? I'll take it!


But you know what? God can't work out the plans He has for me (or for you) if you don't surrender. Surrender my/your goals and ideas and dreams. They're just ashes, remember? How much better are God's plans for me or you than the loftiest imaginings we can think of?


Oh, sure, this prosperity might not be nice cars, fancy clothes, a huge, perfectly decorated house and exotic vacations. It might not mean comfort and plenty and security as the world defines those things. 


It will be my special path chosen just for me by the Creator of the Universe. The One whose beauty covers my ashes. The One who rejoices over me with singing. The One who has a plan for my life.


I surrender.




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