"The challenge of one word"

I was challenged at the beginning of the year by a friend to come up with a New Years word.  This word was supposed to help me throughout the year to strive for a goal I have set for myself.  I thought about many different words I could have used.  I took this assignment to heart and here it is....

My word for 2011 is Embrace: which means to clasp in the arms; to take up readily or gladly; to take in.

Based on the condition of my heart I know certain things about myself need to change.  It is so much easier to make excuses then tackle them head on. 

I hope to Embrace the moment that is given to me by God, pay attention to it and recognize it for what it is.

I need to Embrace Gods plan for me in the next year even if it hurts.

Embrace Gods timing, welcome it, respect it and most of all trust it.

I need to Embrace and welcome the help from others while at the same time giving up some of my own strength to lighten my load.  I can't do everything on my own anymore.

Help me to Embrace trust again, welcome it instead of being afraid of it.

Embrace change and realize it's his will and not mine no matter how hard.

I need to Embrace my own life and Gods ability to use it for good even if I can't see it.

I need to learn to Embrace all of my God given emotion such as anger, bitterness, guilt, shame and resentment.  Help me take them in, deal with them and then set them free.

The hardest for me to Embrace is going to be forgiveness, even writing this is uncomfortable.  First I need to accept Gods forgiveness then forgive myself and lastly forgive the others.

Once I have completed my task I want to change the definition of Embrace to: Embrace means to set free when this is all over.  For me that is how I want to look at it.  A FREEDOM STATEMENT!!

I will also try to acknowledge that to fully Embrace means I have to fully release.

This plan seems so out of reach but it's what I want.  Maybe these things are too much but I am wanting change.  I am needing change!!  God can't do his part until I do mine.

I hope to be Embracing my way through the year 2011

Well I need to report that I didn't master my word for 2011 so I have desided to continue into 2012.