“If one word could become a reality in your life, what would it be?”
I read a Proverbs 31 devotional a couple of months ago on that topic…finding “your word.” If I remember correctly it was a story about a woman who had a friend who asked her that question. She struggled with it but the word that kept coming to her mind was “accepted.” She texted the word to her friend and a few days later the friend sent her a hand made gift from Scrabble letters with the word “ACCEPTED” glued to the wooden ledge. What a sweet reminder!
That story really made me think about my own word. I even dragged out my Scrabble board and played around with the letters trying to come up with my word. I came up with plenty of words: ALIVE, GRACE, SAVED, BLESSED. But I struggled with my word that I still longed to become a reality in my life. I have been thinking about it off and on since.
It reminded me of the part in Eat, Pray Love when Liz was in Italy and her friends asked her what word she would use to define herself. Her response was “writer.” They told her “that was what she did, not what she was” and that “maybe she was a woman still in search of a word.” She did find her word by the end of the story. It was Attraversiamo…an Italian word meaning “let’s cross over.” She was crossing over back to her old self, ready to live again. It seemed to be the perfect word for me too but I couldn’t steal Liz’s word. I needed to keep thinking.
A friend of mine had surgery on her hand recently and she told me that her physical therapy consisted of squeezing play dough. I used to love making creatures with play dough when I was a kid…I especially liked the molds where you stuck the play dough inside and the little people grew play dough hair. I don’t have any of my childhood toys anymore. I did pick up a container of play dough last week when I was standing in line at the check out though. It was staring at me and I couldn’t resist.
While I was sitting here at my computer thinking about my blog topic for today, I got the bright pink dough out and began to play with it. I had no idea what I was going to make but I thought it might possibly inspire something to write about. My cat was very interested in it too and tried to help me.
As I kneaded the dough I began to make some little objects. I am NOT a creative person as far as drawing or painting or making things. So my little objects ended up similar to the stick figures or doodles I typically draw on paper…hearts, birds, smiley faces, the sun etc. But as I was working with the dough my word came to me…a little play dough turned into a little miracle. Creativity can sometimes feel like a bit of a miracle…or even magic. And since I just finished reading another book by Liz Gilbert, “Big Magic” (which is now my creative life handbook), it is not a surprise to me that, as a woman in search of my word, my word came to me while I was playing with the dough. God’s timing never ceases to amaze me! He likes to show off sometimes and when He does, I am so thankful that I am actually aware of what is happening in my life right now to fully appreciate it!
My word is FREE.
FREE from the chains that have been holding me back my entire life. FREE from negative thinking about EVERYTHING. FREE from worrying about how others perceive me. FREE from doubt and insecurity. FREE from the desire to people please. FREE from thinking I am not good enough and not smart enough. FREE from my past and my mistakes. FREE from self-loathing and negative self-talk. FREE to love myself again. FREE to smile and laugh and cry or all at the same time. FREE to enjoy each and every single day not taking a single moment for granted. FREE to fly and soar and only move forward with hope of a bright, amazing future ahead. FREE to express myself fully. FREE TO BE ME!
FREE falling because no matter what the world throws at me…God is always going to be right there to catch me.
Thank you Lord for catching me when I fall. I know that nothing is impossible when I fully trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings,
Stacey ~ iamalive
P.S. I encourage you to think of your “word” and if you are inspired to share, please do so in the comments!
In lieu of sharing the entire Tom Petty song “Free Falling” (because we all know it!!!) I’m sharing my favorite scene from Jerry McGuire! I think FREE must’ve been Jerry’s word too. 😎