“Your
word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm
119:105 (NIV)

“Guideposts”
is one of my favorite magazines. This monthly inspirational magazine, designed
to help readers achieve their maximum personal and spiritual potential,
contains stories written by people from all walks of life. In this January
issue, author Debbie Macomber shared her New Year’s tradition and one I have
adopted for 2012.

At
the beginning of each year, she reflects on the words that have appeared
repeatedly in her life. By writing in
her journal, she watches for patterns to develop. For example, in 1979,
“hunger” was her word. Although she wasn’t sure why she chose that word, she
came to realize that, in part, it had to do with her lifelong struggle with her
weight. However, as that year unfolded, she realized that her physical hunger
for food wasn’t the only struggle she faced. She says, “There were other
hungers as well. With four children in a tiny house, I was hungry for more room
to spread out, hungry for some quiet and a little time to myself.”

Macomber
says she was also hungry to learn, which led to her enrollment in writing classes
at a local college. She wanted to be a novelist so badly she could taste it.
She kept writing and receiving rejections but soon came to realize that her
deepest hunger was spiritual. She was reading scripture each morning. However,
she acknowledged to herself that she was only skimming the surface of what it
means to live a Christian life. Because she wanted more, wanted to go deeper in
the Word, her “hunger” pushed her forward into seeking a deeper relationship with
God.

On
December 26, a Facebook post by one of my former students touched my heart. Krista’s
husband is a Tulsa police officer who has faced the horrors of teen suicide one
too many times. Krista is now on a mission to educate young people that suicide
is not the answer. I think Krista’s word for 2012 is “mission.”

As
I have thought about, and reread Macomber’s magazine article, and responded to
Krista’s posts on Facebook, I have chosen “focus” for my 2012 word. I have
commented to several friends in the past months about my struggles to stay
focused on God’s leading because there are so many distractions in life. I have
posted the word “focus” throughout my house on and my computer to remind me
that my focus is on what He is doing through me and in my life.

Because
it’s so easy to allow the outside world to distract us from what is important
in life, I challenge you to choose a word for 2012. Macomber’s past words have
included trust, brokenness, prayer and hope. This year, she has chosen the word
“listen.”

If
you feel led to explore the possibilities God has for your life, ask Him to reveal
the word He has for you. When you trust Him, He will take you on a journey of
discovery you never imagined. Share your
2012 word with me at carolaround@yahoo.com.

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About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

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