? If not, , and if you are already, thank you!
Do you believe in signs and wonders?
I do…I believe in signs and wonders. Miracles. Divine timing and appointments. Circumstances, if not orchestrated at least permitted, by a great, great God who knows me better than I know myself, and loves me more than my little brain can comprehend.
He feels the same way about you, you know, regardless of your belief (or unbelief), despite your most grievous sin.
Signs…wonders…miracles aren’t necessarily showy or spectacular (like ). Wide open eyes and receptive hearts seem to find them in otherwise ordinary moments.
A new year is a dear thing to me. January just shouts possibility and potential.
Maybe it’s that joie de vivre heart of mine anticipating soon-to-be-written story. Maybe it’s the grace of a mulligan, a chance for a do-over, to get more things right than wrong. Blank slate, bare canvas, the beginning of a one-of-a-kind something, days not yet lived but already ordained.
I love a new year.
It should come as no surprise that I’m a resolutions gal. I don’t make it hard, though, there is no formal procedure. No ominous list that will defeat me 12 days into the new year; more like a series of targets, beacons, touchstones inviting me to draw near.
For me, setting resolutions is as simple as living with greater intention. Don’t we all want to be the best version of ourselves? Shouldn’t we?
Resolutions are invitation to live fully and well.
Beyond my abstract, ethereal resolution-setting, I love to have One Word to mark my year, a word that serves as both anchor and aim. One Word to both ground me and give me wings. As days turn into weeks turn into months that make a year, I look over my shoulder while looking ahead to recalibrate, to make sure I’m on course. One Word helps me remember where I’m headed, what I want out of the priceless time I spend for each day.
Value of time increases with age.
It’s always fun to watch my One Word come into being; it’s a sacred thing, given by God. It’s a process of discovery for me, seeking and searching and setting my head and heart on otherworldly things. Kingdom come.
Or maybe that’s this year. Maybe this year I’ve received a word in light of the gospel, because this year, like never before I sense fresh wind. Fresh fire.
My God, it’s good.
Weeks ago, I thought my One Word was time. “Time” became A Thing for me last year, the first year I was acutely aware of and in conflict with my age and brevity of life. Grains of sand seemed to be slipping through the hourglass’s narrow neck at an incendiary rate, and there’s not a blasted thing you can do to slow it down.
Over Christmas this year, a conversation with my daughter rolled around to One Words for the new year, and I asked her to predict mine. “Jump!” she said without hesitation. She had good reason for her guess –
by Sean Metcalf at Ponce City Market in Atlanta.
Because I have such high regard for Rachel, I began to toy with Jump! for my 2018 One Word. She didn’t know my interior stirrings, but I did, and “jump” fit..
Except that’s the thing about a One Word; it ain’t about making something fit. Anchor and aim…grounder and launcher. For me, I know it when I know it, and both time and jump ended in a question mark, not a period, or better yet – my favorite – the exclamation point.
My 2018 One Word arrived in an unusual package: a graphic tee shirt from The Loft, a Christmas gift from a dear friend. I didn’t see it at first, but when I knew, I knew it.
OYTO.
oyto
Definition of oyto:
There are a lot of opportunities for opportunity.
Every day brings incredible opportunity, and it’s a question of wise stewardship to say yes to as many as possible. What I’m not saying is to crowd your plate so full you can’t taste a thing, what I am saying is to open your eyes to the gifts within reach every single day. Gifts that bless and encourage others, and that fill and feed your soul.
- kind
- generous
- thoughtful
- encouraging
- friendly
- honest
- practical
- reasonable.
- loving
- joyful
- fair
- faithful
- patient
Every day you can make a difference in someone else’s life. Are you absorbing that?
Every day you can make a difference in someone else’s life.
OYTO!
Oyto is my battle cry, a declaration of intentionality, a prayer to be faithful in small and big things. Oyto is how I long to live this year, day by day, minute by minute.
Let’s be prayerful, thoughtful stewards of opportunity.
I LOVE THIS! Yes, yes, yes! I so resonated with just about every single word here! These words “Value of time increases with age.” is so true. I started having these feelings a few years back and I’m 66 now… I want to make the rest of my life really count, to be intentional about what I do, how I live every day.
My One Word for last year was “Expectant”. I was watching and waiting to see what God was going to do next in my life! I pondered about my one word for this year…then I read that someone was going to keep her word from last year for this year as well. That’s when I said Yes, I want to keep my word from last year “Expectant” for this year as well!
My one word combined with your awesome post today completes how I feel about this whole year!
I am going to read your post at least every other day, and maybe every day! 🙂 Just so I can keep this all front and center in my brain and heart every day!
Thanks again for such an encouraging and uplifting message for all of us today!
Blessings and a High Five to you!
Susan, You have NO idea how much your enthusiasm and encouragement means. Thank you for taking time to share a little of yourself here, and I am EXPECTANT and eager to learn how the Lord will work in your life this year!
xo
Robin,
Yes and Amen-the value of time increase with age. Time is precious and must be valued. I feel this way because I lost my dad last March – he was 91 & I turned 52. Right there with you on oyto. I want to make the most of my life. Doing the most good for the most people. Not going to miss many opportunities to help or encourage people daily.
Blessings 🙂
Beth,
You’re a natural encourager, so my money is on you; I’d bet you’ll take advantage of most every opportunity to encourage those in your path :).
YES! I love, love, love this, Robin. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the “big days” of life that we forget that most of our living happens in the ordinary, small days.
I was recently part of a conversation wherein a writer asked something like, “Where do you find opportunities to display your writing?” And I found the conversation sad, as if writing only matters if it’s garnering attention. Look, as someone who is currently writing a book, I want my writing to garner attention. But the conversation made me think that my best writing might be in the form of a note of encouragement or a kind comment. “A word fitly spoken” is the proverb that came to mind. And every day brings opportunity for that!
Bless you, sister. I’m with you on this. But tell me, HOW did you discover the word “oyto”?
Richella,
I so hear you; the writing/blog world can be an odd thing indeed. I used to want a lot of attention…and God did a slow and sure work in my heart over that. Now, I’m still a rowdy gal, but online I crave something more quiet…. I think you know what I mean based on our conversations :).
I wanted to scream YES with your thoughts about garnering attention…. :/
And…I MADE UP THE WORD! 🙂 One Year Three-hundredSixty-five Opportunities. (Caps of each word :).
Just popping to say I love you both. 🙂
Robin, your post is challenging and encouraging. It sparkles with promise and leads me to desire God’s best.
Jeannie, You will learn that “sparkle(s)” is one of my favorite words.
xoxoxo
ME TOO!!! #OYTO
WAHOOOO, MARIE!!! The more, the MERRIER!
Oyto-ier?
🙂
Love this post! Thanks for walking us through some of your process for why this one word is yours for this year! I have been trying one word for the last 3 years and I also feel led to my words. Really enjoyed this encouraging post which I found from the in(courage) post.
Shelley,
Thank you for letting me know you found me from (in)courage :). And…you’ve left me curious–WHAT is your Word of the Year??
xo
JOY
<3
Wonderful word, Robin! I am in a place where I’ve been more able to slow down a bit, take things in, and savor. I think OYTO! is splendid. I suspect this will be dancing around my thoughts as a reminder of the many opportunities. ??
My word for 2018? Flourish. ????