One Little Word for 2009

I have been reading about the various contests on the internet and in the blogosphere to encourage us to choose one little word for 2009 ( see olw). I did some more reading about the idea of choosing a word, and found this reference from Ali Edwards on her blog - "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow." I also found a reference to the idea that "one little word" is the place where God's word meets God's world. This blog takes its name from the third stanza of Martin Luther’s most well-known hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

Though hoards of devils fill the land
All threat’ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpower us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage;
In battle we’ll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.

Lutheran Book of Worship. (C)1978 Augsburg Fortress Publishing House (Minneapolis) and Board of Publication, LCA (Philadelphia),hymn #229

I had a rough time trying to condense all my various thoughts about the coming year into a single word, but the idea of finding one word that I could land on all year, that I could return to, pray on, meditate on, and use for inspiration was compelling. So I kept thinking and pondering, and opening my heart. And finally the word came.

My word for 2009 is Serenity.





The very sound of the word brings a slow calm to my thoughts. Fabulous! I would like to focus on maintaining and increasing serenity, whatever the coming year may bring. I think about the challenges I am already aware of and those that may come as a complete surprise. I think about being more serene as I consider Mr. Bryant's mother's illness. The aging of our parents. Our own physical challenges as we age. The challenges at work. The new calls for change and service from our nation. The financial challenges facing us all. My family and their own changes and challenges. My crafting work & this blog. Myself.

There is something very special about this word for me. It represents slowing down, simplifying, and pausing to find that peace, patience, and calmness within. It reminds me that the ever changing is grounded in the never changing. It calmly connects me to our history, and to the future, and gives me the freedom to focus on what is really important to me in my life (not just the next 365 days).

This word reminds me that the future is worth fighting for.