Seven Letters

​For those who know me or have followed my blog, you may recall that for the last 50 years (yes, FIFTY!) that I have asked God, towards the end of the year, to give me a word/short phrase to focus on for the coming year.
 
Over the decades some words were clear. Other years the word seemed innocuous – only to discover by year’s end that God really WAS in control and the word(s) He had given me were the exact ones I needed to hang onto just to make it through.
 
Recent words have been were LEAN IN, Trust, Fear Not and Gratitude.  One year, God asked me to stay DAILY in Jeremiah 31 – boy was that an adventurous year! 2020’s year’s word was WARRIOR. If I know NOW what the word warrior would literally and figuratively come to mean I just may have (being honest here) I would have told the Lord: “No thanks!”  But I know that doesn’t work with God – it usually just gets me deeper in the muck when I say “no.” Just sayin’.
 
Recently, I had my morning mug of  VIA Italian Roast coffee with Vanilla Caramel and Peppermint Mocha creamer in one hand (lovingly made by my hubby who despises coffee – even the smell, ) my journal in my lap, and my Bible open on the recliner arm.  I was  snuggled in my blanket that has the pattern of shelves of books on it. A perfect calm had settled over me as I sat in my new “Refuge” – my remodeled office.  Only in the span of Eternity could the paint color I chose for the walls have the name “Refuge” – Godincidence right?
 
I continued to warm myself, basking in His Word. I occasionally looked outside at the snowy landscape. The sun was rising slowly. Remember it, is December in Alaska!)  The snow and ice encrusted tree branches shimmered like diamonds as the morning sunbeams ascended.
 
It was a fitting morning to “hear “what word(s) God had in store for me for 2021. But instead of words, he gave me seven letters.  I prayed and pondered what the seven letters meant throughout. It (finally) dawned on me the seven letters, rearranged, formed two different words…my words for 2021:  LISTEN and SILENT.   
 
So now you know how to be praying in 2021 for me! Silent is not typically a word that is used to describe me! Listen, I believe is a strong admonishment. So stay tuned. I will fill you in as the year progresses!  Blessings and s’mores! 

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