And My Word for 2012 Is.....

GRACIOUSNESS.  It was between that and hope.  I really wanted it to be hope.   But graciousness was confirmed in a year-end simulcast by Pastor Rick Warren for pastors and  Christian leaders.  My husband and I watched it together.  In his conclusion, Warren gave some suggestions for personal growth.   He said, “The mark of godliness is graciousness. The more carnal I am, the more critical I am...Be slow to judge what people do until you know what they've been through.”

I've taken the first step and looked graciousness up in on-line dictionaries.  It's the noun form of the adjective gracious which means (as I was afraid it might):

1. having or showing kindness, courtesy, charm, etc.
2. merciful; compassionate
3. indulgent or polite to those held to be inferiors
4. characterized by the taste, luxury, and social ease associated with prosperity, education, etc.: gracious living
5. Archaic having pleasing qualities; attractive

I do need/want to work on that.  And I DO need the Lord to work IN me concerning this.  But before I have to put GRACIOUSNESS into motion, let me get a few pet peeves out of the way:

• Hearing or reading after the death of someone, "God needed another angel" or "he/she has his/her angel wings now. " People do NOT turn into angels when they die!
• Flash mobs.  The first ones I saw were pretty cool.  Lately, not so much.
• The phrase "prayers to you".  Prayers are addressed to God.  (Maybe prayers FOR you....????)
• Annoying phone calls from Rachel who calls concerning my credit card account..."there is NOT a problem with your account, but....yadayada).
• Facebook friends who share the links to companies "giving away $200 to everyone" who likes their page (and fills out a bunch of information in the process).
• Milk at the very BACK of the grocery store.

There are probably more.  If I think of them, I'll put graciousness on hold temporarily and let you know.  Is there anything YOU want to get out there before you start to be gracious?