Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Grace in this new year...

*tap, tap...anyone here?*

I've neglected this little corner of the blogosphere over the past year...and as my fingers hover indecisively over the keyboard this morning, I remember why. I'm not sure I have much to contribute to the "conversation," but the personal discipline of regularly chronicling things -- Scripture memory, books I'm reading, goals, life in general -- gives me a measure of motivation...accountability, that I need.

So, here goes. 2013 -- what will it hold? I'm kicking off the year in Scripture memory by keeping it simple. I want to focus on "grace" -- receiving it and extending it to others -- so I'm drawn to passages that reflect this. I'm going to work on three verses in 1 Peter 4, but I'm going to do it one. verse. at. a. time. First up:

"Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8, NIV

I also love it in the Amplified translation:

"Above all things, have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins (forgives and disregards the offenses of others)."
talk about grace!

And I can't resist including The Message version:

"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything."

In addition to a year of drawing closer to God by spending time in His Word, I want to cultivate more prayerfulness this year and to serve others at every opportunity. (Thanks for the inspiration, Brian, recapped by Hannah!)

And I plan to spend as much time as possible with this sweet face...



...and to celebrate my entire family at every opportunity. What a gift!




I hope to continue the discipline of counting gifts...never discounting the small.

And, of course, I have the uber-predictable goal of eating healthier, exercising regularly and getting more fit. But seriously, I'm pretty motivated when I look at the sweet faces above. I want to be able to keep up with my kids and grandkids for a lot of years!

So...it's a new year. Grace. May it abound.




2 comments:

Melanie said...

Yay, Leslie! So glad you picked up the blog again. I've been contemplating it, too, but...

That sweet baby face! I want to squeeze those cheeks. Love ya!

Hannah Crain said...

sweet sweet sweet. love the encouragement to start another fresh year with some scriptures (said like Titus) and challenges of grace and serving! ask me how i'm doing in this area anytime sweet Honey! love that little vanny face so much and you too!