Surrender

Have you read the book ‘One Word’? I had never heard of it, but my sister recommended it earlier this year as she was reading it with her team from work— it was her second round with the book and practice. It’s a Christian-based book, teaching the concept of manifesting ‘one word’ as your theme for the year. It’s a word that you’ll focus on, use as a directional guide, and most likely get challenged with as you live throughout the year. It’s not a New Year’s resolution and doesn’t even have to start on January 1. It’s a purposeful and intentional word, one that should come to you in a time of quiet and reflection—away from distractions or fleeting thoughts (this is so hard for me to do). I heard the book a couple months ago and tried to focus on receiving my word, but it didn’t come to me. I knew I couldn’t force it. Then honestly, I forgot about it.

I was just texting with my sister the other night. She’s going through a really rough time with work right now. The thought popped into my head - ‘her ONE WORD’! I didn’t know what her word was, but I knew that it would help her. I mentioned it and reminded her to focus on it. We had originally planned to share our words with each other once I had mine, and then we would be accountability partners. Obviously I was slacking. No surprise, her One Word was exactly what she needed.

The next morning, I woke up with my One Word as my first thought. Surrender.

Over the past few days, I’ve been picking this word apart and figuring out what it means.

Surrender to God.

Surrender to my true feelings.

Surrender to circumstances I can’t control.

Surrender to not having control.

Surrender …

Have I every truly surrendered? One word. No.

As I walk through the last two months of this year, I will figure out what this word means in my life.