Made to Thrive

My friend Sheila Atchley chooses a name for each year - well, the Lord helps her name her years. This is something I've never done, until today! I read Sheila's blog post for her name of the year (Grace) and enjoyed it immensely, rejoicing with her on her year of Grace. I commented on her post as she put her blog post up on facebook, and then I went about my day never suspecting that the Lord would "name" MY year. But that's exactly what He did. I love it best when the Lord shows up in a surprise moment and speaks a word into my life! I'm sure you're wondering, so this is "how it happened" that my year has been named for the first time. I turned on my shower speaker, chose my Spotify worship playlist, hit "shuffle play all" and the first song that came up was "Thrive" by Casting Crowns. As I listened to the words, I clearly heard the Lord say that my word for this year is THRIVE. I laughed and accepted the destiny He has spoken over my life. Here are the words: Here in this worn and weary land, Where many a dream has died. Like a tree planted by the water, We never will run dry. So living water flowing through. God, we thirst for more of You. Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire. Just to know You and to make You known. We lift Your name on high. Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide. We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. Its time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive. Into Your word, were digging deep, To know our Father's heart. Into the world, were reaching out, To show them who You are. Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, Love unstoppable, anything is possible. As I heard these words, I remembered a verse I read yesterday that the Lord had highlighted in my heart. Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the "woman" who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But "her" delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law "she" meditates day and might. "She" is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever "she" does prospers. The Lord confirmed that my word for the year is THRIVE My scripture for the year is Psalm 1:1-3 And my song for the year is Thrive by Casting Crowns Another thing the Lord has told me is to "keep doing what you've been doing". Well, for the past 9 months that has been concentrating on recovering from back surgery with PT, pain, rest, pain, Bible study, pain, exercise, pain... you get the point. Mainly, He's been quite specific that I'm to diligently study His Word and journal, create "teachings" for myself, etc. And this year? Keep doing the same And as I do? I will thrive and prosper BUT only IF I "meditate on his law (His word) day and night" I'm ready. And Lord, thank You for the surprise!