Refining Fire

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

It’s a sad promise that we WILL go through the overwhelming waters and the burning fire. The verse above doesn’t say “if,” it says “when.” Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you WILL have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33  

Fortunately, when we pass through the waters and the fire, the Lord promises to be with us and we will not be swept away or burned or in any way destroyed by the trials we experience.

But it’s more than that….

For the rest of the post and a story about a little “bling”, click here to visit me at Laced With Grace. 



.

One Word for 2013

My friend, Elise, recently shared a post about her “one word” for 2012. I discovered I may be a little late joining the “One Word” bandwagon, but I think it’s a great idea, one that I think I can actually commit to long term.
Rather than making a list of resolutions with little hope of lasting, I look forward to having one word as a theme to carry me through the year in all aspects of life.
And for 2013, I’m stealing Elise’s word because I believe it’s a perfect one for me this coming year. Her word – and now mine – is NOW.

Lauren’s Christmas gift to me – my word for 2013!

I chose this word because:
I want to SAVOR the NOW
I don’t want to miss the present because I’m worrying about the future or reliving the past. I want to relish the time spent with friends and family, at work and play, at rest or in activity.
I want to DO it NOW
I admit it. I procrastinate. I often have great intentions that never materialize into anything worthwhile because I put off the initial step. Like making that phone call or sending a card. Like choosing to write rather than lose myself in reading or research. Like starting a project rather than imagining it finished. I want to take the action rather than the distraction. 

For more info on the “One Word” approach, check out these worthwhile links:

Jon Gordon’s post “One Word that Will Change Your Life”:
Melissa Fedderson on her word for 2013:
Melanie at Only A Breath is sharing her gift of making free blog graphic/buttons:
Debbie at Heart Choices shared her word for this year and the past 2 years:
And the ONE WORD 365 community:
Valuable tips on choosing your one word:

Will you leave a comment with YOUR word for 2013?
.