Sharing My Word

Every year after Christmas the word resolution becomes the buzz. We hear it on morning TV, radio, and read it in magazine articles. Even my first grade son came home with a paper from school to write his resolution on! Resolution is a great word that inspires us to have a vision, inspires us to have determination. It’s good to make a firm resolution to do something.

Like everyone else, I began to think of what changes I wanted to see in this New Year. However, at the same time I was feeling lackadaisical to make any real resolutions. ‘How about just ease into the New Year and see what stirs in the first few days’ was the motto I decided on. With this settled, I bypassed resolution talk until I read Aimee’s post, ‘What’s Your One Word?’ I felt challenged in not only having a one-word resolution but a word that would determine my year. I began to pray for my word and received it almost immediately. Empathy.

The day I received my word, I began to consider how it related to my life.

This past May, my husband and I began a road of transition and change for our family. I began the summer unemployed. This brought about circumstances that required me to face some humbling moments. My heart softened and I became more sensitive to others as I went through this. I became more sympathetic towards random people who I would encounter throughout my day. My reactions to them were more reserved, and I understood that maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe they were going through afflictions. I was becoming aware that I really wanted to walk more in kindness, more in the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) I wanted to be kind to those around me, to not be quick to pass judgment but accept them, to show generosity…to be empathetic because that was what I was personally experiencing from God.

Honestly, empathy was something that was already being worked in my heart without me knowing it by definition.

Just recently I was speaking with my husband telling him how I was noticing a change in my heart towards people and their lives. Sure I loved people and had a heart for people but I realized it was mainly stemming from a sympathetic perspective. Empathy is different though. It’s more of a caring or taking on the pain of those close to us. Empathy is more personal. It’s more like placing yourself in a person’s shoes.

My One Word has begun to settle in my heart, knowing that I am being challenged to go to the next level in being kind to those around me. I have been challenged to be purposeful and present, showing empathy with my family, friends, and community. God has been speaking to me about the relationships in my life and to proceed with a new outlook of kindness. I’m reminded of Pastor Ross’ message, The Secret of Being Content where he said “it is a beautiful thing to share, to give out of willingness to others what God has given you”.

Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
Philippians 4:14 (NLT)

Now applying it to my day-to-day is what I must learn. Let me say that empathy may seem simple but let’s take bedtime with 3 small kids for an example. I “need” some quiet time after a long day at home with kids. Is it fair that they ask for water 5 times before falling asleep? This is where empathy reminds me of how I cherished giving my parents a kiss before bed assuring me of the security I needed to sleep soundly. As I relate in empathy I can understand my children also need that extra song allowing them to know all is well. How many times do we rush through our relationships wanting that extra “me” time when the person in front of us needs us to be present, full of empathy.

Just as I am encouraged in growing in empathy this year, I hope you are encouraged not only by my One Word but in the One Word you have received. God is speaking to us and isn’t it wonderful that together we can share and see the beauty of God through relationships?