Dear Resilience,
We've become quite good friends this year of 2025 and I want to take some time to thank you for some of the reasons why I am thankful for the relationship that we have established over these last 11 months. When we met face to face in January, I realized that it could be a challenging relationship because, well, there has to be friction in order for a person to be an overcomer. You have taught me well, Friend.
I want to thank you for every challenge that you presented to me this year. We can't grow in resilience or even really begin to understand it without being challenged and you have done an excellent job in the challenge department.
Thank you for the challenge of accepting the fact that not everyone is truthful 100% of the time and that while it can be a time of hurtful feelings when we realize betrayal, it isn't the end of the world. It's an opportunity to run to our heavenly Father and also to practice forgiveness.
I especially want to say thank you for teaching me how turning to gratitude in the challenging times can transform the condition of my spirit within me. It can turn tears and fears into peace and calm.
I think one of the most profound ways you displayed yourself and what you are all about this year was through the meditation on the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling. It brought back so many memories from my high school years and the young man whose love for that poem made it special for me. In every line it shows that resilience is a necessary part of life.
Thank you for reminding me that you can be found in nature...in plant life especially. I remember that the plant in particular that you used was a Peace Lily.
You have taught me that "giving up" is not an option...ever, because we never know but what the answer to the challenge might be just around the next corner, or held deeply within the next minute or hour. I can remember reading some of the prompts that LISA would give us each month and knowing that not to do those would not show any resilience on my part and that encouraged me to participate which caused growth.
Out of all the wonderful things you have taught me, dear Resilience, the most important thing you have taught me is that I am weak and the only way I can overcome the obstacles that you put in front of me is by the grace and strength of God. I thank you so much for the lessons that have developed that in my character as God has used you in my sanctification.
As our year is drawing near to the end, I know now that we will always be friends. You won't stop teaching me how to persevere. But for now, I want to say thank you for sharing this year with me.
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This is GREAT!!! This word you chose for this year is a challenging word and I know you have learned so very much just by being aware of "Resilience" each day. What a blessing this word has become...I am sure. Happy Thanksgiving! (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shug, for your kind words. And you are so right. Resilience has become a blessing to me. Praying for you and Sam. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love and peace and family. xx
DeleteA great recap of your year with the word of the year you chose. Hope that sentence makes sense. More and more I realize just how weak I am and how much I need to rely on God...I need thee every hour! God bless your Thanksgiving day with joy and peace and of course a thankful heart!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen. Your sentence did make sense. :) I agree...the more we grow in our relationship with our Father, the more we realize just how weak we are. I'm sure your Thanksgiving will be filled with family and good food and lots of love. xx
DeleteWow - this is a great post on this word and your year in learning from it. So many things have come from it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Thanks so much, Mari. Lisa comes up with ways that I would never think of doing to help us "cement" our One Word into our memories.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family too! xx
Beautifully written! It has been a rich year for you and your one word has been a true friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melanie, for your words of encouragement. My one word has been a great teacher and friend. xx
DeleteSuch a good post wonderfully written.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Thanksgiving.
All the best Jan
Thank you so much, Jan, for your words of encouragement. xx
DeleteGreat post. Your word for the year has taught you a lot. Looking forward to hearing about next years word!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. Yes, becoming good friends with Resilience this year has definitely been a learning experience and I'm thankful for each one. xx
DeleteI love this post. It sounds like you made it through your sometimes difficult year and have been blessed. I hope your Thanksgiving is ( or was, if you read this later) wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, GM, for your kind words. Resilience has been a good teacher...sometimes hard, sometimes harder. :) But the lessons I have learned are so valuable! Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes. We are going to spend it at my brother-in-law's.
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your new (and now forever) friend.
ReplyDeletehttps://mylifeinourfathersworld.com/ via One Word 2025 (November)
Thank you so much, Barb, for your kind words...and for stopping by.
DeleteSome beautiful thoughts here! Yes, we are weak, and as you shared, it is God who gives us the strength, resilience and all that we need for life. Without Him we are weak, but with Him, we are strong. :) Blessings to you! I'm your neighbor at the linkup.
ReplyDeleteGayl, thank you for stopping by and sharing such encouraging words with me.
DeleteWhat a stunning tribute to your word, Dianna! And a testimony to your beautiful spirit that shows us what resilience looks like. I appreciate your diligence and honesty in taking us along the journey with you this year. We're all more resilient as a result! Thank you, friend.
ReplyDeleteHello Friend. Thank you for your kind words, but please understand that a lot of my posts this year about Resilience were the result of your prompts that made me stretch and think outside my comfort zone. Thank you, dear one, for being an instrument of His grace.
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