Shine.

Kind of our word of the year. Or rather, our word for this year. Or rather, just our family mantra.

We read about it to our children…

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you SHINE like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15

This verse is scribbled on a note taped to our fridge.

I have it pinned to Ben’s backpack and when I scurry him off to his pre-school class in the mornings, I whisper it to him as I hug him goodbye…  ”Shine bright,” I say.

We have it written in our Family Rules…  right smack dab in the middle in capital letters, hung in our kitchen nook.

And, it sits staring at me…  as a glaring reminder on my kitchen window, as I wash dishes, or cut veggies, or grab a cup of coffee in the morning…  whispering…  Shine, Kelly. Shine bright.

What does this mean, you ask?  To shine?

Well, I am not at all perfect at it, but if I could sum up what it has meant for me this past year, it would look a little something like this…

To embrace life more.  To stop.  Look.  At the beauty RIGHT in front of my face.  In the magic of the moon in the evenings to the colors in one single bubble, as I scrub the soaked plates.  To not be so hurried.  To get down on the floor and play.  Really PLAY with my children.  To serve them.  To serve my husband.  To not wait.  To LISTEN.  To really listen. Which often means to STOP talking.  To lead in this way.  And, be confident in this.  To remember All.  Is.  Grace.

Some of the above may sound familiar if you’ve read THIS book.  If you have, then you can give me an Amen, sista.  If you haven’t, then I highly recommend picking it up this next year.  The words in this book have been like medicine to my soul and I needed to hear them.  I intend to carry these precepts into 2012 with me.

Or they may sound familiar if you’ve followed my blog over the past several months.  I have written about some of these things every Sunday, through my Simple Things Sunday posts.  My photos and writing have been intended as an anchor for me throughout my week.  As reminders for me to pay attention to the little things.  The things I am thankful for. And, this too, has been a discipline that has challenged me to remember all of my blessings.  ALL of them.  Week after week.

I hope that I can continue on like this into this year…  and, I hope that you continue to stay and read along and join in as well.  Thanking God for all of your gifts.  In whatever way suits you.

So, dear friends…  let me ask you.  Have you been reflecting lately?  Are you looking forward?

I pray that you would also seek to SHINE bright this next year!

Thanks for reading!  Happy New year to you!

I don’t really want more time;

I just want enough time.

Time to breathe deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and sing joy…

I just want time to do my one life well.

Life at its fullest is this sensitive, detonating sphere -

and it can be carried only in the hands of the unhurried and reverential –

a bubble held in awe.”

~One Thousand Gifts:  A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are {Ann Voskamp}

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