the naming of a year

another year has been experienced. 2012 is drawing to a close, 2013 is upon us
i am ever thankful Ann introduced me to the idea of seeking Him to name a year
as autumn begins to fill the calendar i begin reflecting on the theme of the present year and seeking Him for a new theme, for a new year
2012 has been The Year of One. i praise Him! it was just as it needed to be (yes, He always knows)
this year when i first heard a word deep in my spirit i tried to ignore it, without ignoring Him ((i know, i know)). the word seemed to evoke a frantic, frenzied, anxiousness..... but-the-word-did not-change. in fact, as days turned to weeks His Word attended the word:

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

a starting place.

πρὸ πάντων δὲ τὴν εἰς ἑαυτοὺς ἀγάπην ἐκτενῆ ἔχοντες ὅτι ἀγάπη καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν

Strong's G1618 - ἐκτενής ektenēs

1) stretched out 2) intent, earnestly, assiduously

in Matthew Henry's commentary that is, sincere, strong, and lasting

further studying yielded: stretched out, earnestly (markedby or showing deep sincerity or seriousness/of an important or weighty nature), assiduously (with care and persistence, markedby careful unremitting attention or persistent application), sincere, strong, without ceasing. fervently

and so 2013, The Year of Ektenēs

i have much to study where fervent is concerned. He has blessed me with a place to begin (always at the beginning, yes?)

 

i penned that rough draft days ago.

oh my Friends. how. He. loves. us. so.
 

had you asked me before my year would have been named Ektenes, but then that was before.
before i was on my face that particular night, in that particular place. thanksgiving. praise. supplication. again laying His beloved at His feet, with faith like a grain of mustard seed, faith to move mountains - because yes, it is He whom i believe in - what mountain would not melt in His presence?
and there, with peace warmly oozing in, around, over i opened my eyes. upside down, the light reflecting, and the view was beautiful - warm golds, the grains running to and fro it seemed. i smiled wonder. i'd never stopped and stooped low to look upside down at the wood floor in this room. and in my spirit it took hold. firmly, in an instant: perspective.
i began to see how as i sought Him, as i dug deep into His Word, He changed my perspective. fervent initally evoked anxiety, until i looked to Him alone - and then it brought forth earnestness.... how He longs to change my perspective through the lens of His love and the lens of His Word (yes, an echo from Ann).

 
i had thought 2013 was named for me. now i know it is.
 

The Year of Perspective

 

 

 

i am ever thankful. forever counting His gifts....
joining Ann