I am a blog reader.

I’m kind of choosy about what I give attention to and what I allow to wrinkle my brain.  There are favorites I have subscribe to so they are conveniently delivered to my email.

Over the years some of my blog friends have chosen a word in January to guide their entire year.  At first I was just an observer of this process.  But this year, this first year of my retirement, I’ve decided to follow their example and choose a word for myself.  Actually two words.

Rest and Space.

I’ve been a busy person for a lot of years.  It seemed impossible not to be.

Sweet William and I experienced some life-changing events in our 30s that changed our plans.  I was placed in a role I never would have chosen, a burden I never dreamed I would carry.  Nevertheless it became mine.  Sometimes the load was very heavy.  And it became my lot to be very busy, very responsible, very tired.

So many of my days were spent going from one job to another.  Once I characterized myself as the Queen of Part-time Jobs.  It was not a royal reign.

I admit some of my busy-ness has been of my own making.  I’ve taken on responsibilities that were not my calling.

I’ve been stressed at times.  Overworked.  Over committed.

As I begin a new journey this year, I don’t want to live out the rest of my days in total overload.

Thus my words.  Rest and Space.

I question how I may accomplish this mountainous goal.  I can only try by keeping my focus.  I’m sure I will fail at times.  My bent is toward activity.  My inclination is to see an opportunity or a need and say “I can do that.”  I’ve been known to volunteer too quickly only to regret it later.

One thing I have learned is that when I am in God’s will and I’m using the gifts He has given me there is great joy and fulfillment in the project, even it if wears me out.  But if I am doing something on my own, perhaps what someone else is really called to do instead of me, I begrudge the time and can’t wait for it to be over.

I am more than willing to serve where the Lord calls me.  But sometimes I’ve served where He didn’t call.  I’ve heard it said that when we take a position where we are not called, we actually keep someone else from using their gift.  I ponder that.

So this year, 2014, I will focus on the ministry God’s has given to me.  Sometimes that is right in my own home.  Sometimes it is at church or community.  Sometimes it will be somewhere completely unexpected.

I will consider the opportunities to serve, pray for God’s guidance, and answer carefully.

I will receive the gift of space in my surroundings, my home and my life.  I will learn to “be” more than constantly “do” more.

I will allow my spirit, soul, and body to rest in the One who made me and prepared a good work for me to do.

He knows the way that I take.  I’ve strayed from that path a time or two.  I’d like to walk it right this year.

Your comments are so welcome.  I love reading them.  I’d really like to know what you think.