right after russ & i decided to proceed with adoption, i drove down to new braunfels for a cousin’s bridal shower. on my way, i prayed for God to give me something – anything – to cling to during the process of paperwork and waiting. without any hesitation, a word latched on to my heart and wouldn’t let go.
jubilee.
tears came to my eyes as i thought about the beauty behind the word. the thought of debts being paid and celebration and fresh starts…it was perfect.
i told my two sisters that day. i told them we started the process the night before and how i prayed on the way to the house about what God wanted us to focus on and how he gave me the word jubilee. one of my sisters looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “oh elora. it’s the year of jubilee. it’s your year of jubilee.”
adoption has always carried a tremendous piece of our hearts. particularly because of the realization of our own adoption – how Christ came and found us, orphaned and alone – dirty and left out – and still loved us. it’s an incredible picture of grace in the midst of hopelessness. and what’s more beautiful: once we accept this completely free gift of adoption as sons & daughters of Christ, we owe nothing.
the debt has already been paid.
so, when my friend alece mentioned she was doing her one word for 2011 and invited us to do the same, i immediately knew what mine was going to be – there was no other choice, really.
jubilee.
i’m hanging on to this word for all it’s worth this year.
this morning, i was reminded of the price of jubilee during worship. as i stood singing Jesus paid it all, tears flowed down my cheeks when i realized the significance.
oh praise the One who paid my debt
and raised this heart up from the dead.
this year, i aim to focus on His jubilee: through our process of adopting from Ethiopia and through experiencing more of his grace in my own life.
what’s your one word for 2011?
In short, the Spirit is upon me to declare that now is the time; this is the jubilee season of the Eternal One’s grace. [Luke 4]
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