I think it’s way past time that I resume my One Little Word Wednesday series. I looked, and the last time I posted anything was February 1. I purposed to focus on enjoying life this year and, well, I haven’t done the best job of that.

This morning I read these words,

“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
~Psalm 95:1-2

I am convinced that the Lord wants us to fully enjoy this life that He has blessed us with.

Yes, there are trials, struggles and hardships, but above all else, there is blessing.

I often listen to music throughout the day, but all too often I also fail to let this music or praise, and of worship, reach my heart. They’re just words unless they do that.

So, today, I am going to sing to the LORD, not just with words coming out of my mouth, but with my heart and soul.

I am going to make a joyful noise. Joyful to Him, although it may not be to anyone else!

I invite you to come into His presence along with me with thanksgiving for all the blessings He has given.

Let’s make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise today!

Yesterday was not the best day ever.

In fact, it was a pretty rotten one.

I’ve been sick with a cold along with every one of my children.

I’m tired.

and very, very blah

There’s not much about it that I enjoyed.

It was pretty much a One Little Word FAIL.

But you know what’s great about this journey that I’m taking?

That we’re all taking, really.

I don’t have to give up and call it quits at the first sign of failure.

God’s mercies are new every single morning.

Because of that, today is a new day filled with new opportunities.

Each day of our lives contains the potential to shine, to embrace and enjoy life.

I’m going to take the opportunity that I’m given.

I’m going to reflect and reevaluate.

I’m going to confess, repent, and pray.

And I’m going to keep going.

Wanna join me?

Credits: A Fresh Start – Suzie Q Scraps (DailyDigi Files 37)
It’s Goal-tastic Templates – Nettio

Focusing on the word “Enjoy” this year has brought me to a place of reflection.

I am only able to truly enjoy my life because of deliverance.

There was a time when I would have never been able to focus on enjoying anything.

I lived a life full of worry and anxiety…to the point of being on anxiety medication in high school and college.

This morning as I was reflecting, I realized that I am far from that place now.

My days are not filled with worry.

My thoughts are not cluttered with anxiety.

And that is only because I have been delivered from those strongholds through God’s working in my life.

The journaling in this layout reads,

“I chose enjoy as my one little word for 2012 because I want to live my life to its fullest. I desire to live with a positive attitude, trusting completely in my Savoir and getting the most out of this glorious life He has given me. It is so easy to get bogged down in the monotony of being a wife, a mom, a teacher, and a homemaker that life can be boring. My thoughts can turn negative in the blink of an eye. But by focusing on enjoying this year and beyond, I will be able to rejoice in every role I have. I want to remember to take time to savor moments, to slow down and truly enjoy the gifts contained within each day I have.”

I am so thankful that I am at a place where savoring moments, slowing down, and enjoying the gifts that are contained within each day is a possibility.

I am so thankful that my thoughts are no longer clouded by worry and anxiety.

Enjoying life is a gift that I don’t take for granted.

I mentioned before that I am taking Ali Edwards’ One Little Word Workshop at Big Picture Classes, in hopes of it helping me to focus and get the most out of my one little word for 2012.

I chose the word Enjoy and the January prompt was to create a layout delving into this word.

I love the definition for enjoy, “to experience with joy; to take pleasure in”.

As I was reading my Bible this morning I saw this in Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Did you notice the words fullness of joy?

In God’s presence there is fullness of joy.

Enjoyment can only come from living in Him.

At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Pleasure can be found at God’s right hand.

I can only truly experience this word that I have chosen to be my focus this year as I live in God’s presence and at his right hand.

I am a lover of words. I love the way some of them roll off of my tongue. I love the way they sound and the connotations that they bring.

The words I found in the Thesaurus for Enjoy are some of my favorite words.

I want to incorporate these into my vocabulary.

Adore

Delight {in}

Fancy

Like

Love

Rejoice {in}

Relish

Revel {in}

Savor

In choosing the word ENJOY I invite full, passionate living, freedom, and laughter.

But I also know that everyday will not be butterflies and rainbows.

There will be hardships and struggles as I wade through this year, seeking to enjoy it.

So, I also invite the growing and stretching.

I invite celebrations as I choose to celebrate the enjoyment of life.

I invite the memories that will be made this year focused on “ENJOY”.

And I am thankful that I get to share it all with you!