WAIT

I've already explained that I refuse to make New Year's resolutions this year. And I'm whole heartedly sticking to that claim.

But this past week, I listened to the sermon from New Year's Day on Vimeo since I was unable to attend service. Pastor Greg suggested the idea of choosing one word to focus on throughout the year. The idea is to think about the type of person you want to be at the end of 2012 and ask the Lord to place a word on your heart that will encourage you to live your life in a way that will make becoming that person a reality.

While listening to the sermon, my word became abundantly clear, WAIT.

You see, if I'm being perfectly honest, the past 18-24 months have not gone exactly how I would have wanted. My 27th birthday is quickly approaching and I feel like I'm kind of behind on Amber's Life To-Do List.

And for the past 18-24 months I have been fighting with the Lord at every turn. Instead of meeting obstacles with grace and faith, I pitch a fit and become angry with the Lord for handing me a challenge that I feel is unfair. Instead of trusting that God will work "all things for good", I have convinced myself that my plan is the right plan and God just needs to get with the program. And I'm realizing - that mentality is very dangerous.

I believe that I have many virtues - but patience, faith, & trust are NOT in my basket. Pretty sure the Lord brushed right past me when he was handing those out.

So I'm looking to December 2012. There are many things that I would like accomplish this year spiritually, financially & with my family. And yes, I will continue to pray that the Lord will give me the desires of my heart and truly work these trials for my benefit.

But my desire to be a woman of complete faith is slowly becoming greater than my desire to become a woman who gets everything she wants out of life. And when I say slowly, I mean slowly. But I'm getting there.

So this year, my spiritual mantra is WAIT. I'm not exactly sure what the next 12 months will bring for Steven and I. But I know, that if yield to Christ's will in my life and earnestly seek His direction, I will be much better off than I could every be by following Amber's Life To-Do List.

Do any of you have a spiritual mantra or life verse? Something to keep you focused in difficult times? I'd love to hear about them!