I'm in!

What do I even say after two months with no blog posts? This past year was my lowest year in blog posts since the conception of I've Been Thinking. Only 16 posts, when in past years I posted at least twice a month, if not weekly. 

My last entry was about our new kind of normal. Maybe the new normal has something to do with it. Maybe not. Regardless, 2014 will be different. No promises, but it is my hope. 

I could share highlights and pictures of our Nov/Dec travels to Turkey, then Africa, but I'll leave that for another post. 

I could tell of the peaceful and meaningful Christmas we had in MI with family or a sweet visit in PA with my parents and extended family.

I could tell of the sub-freezing temperatures and snow fall of just the past week, but many of you have experienced that yourself! 

So, what to say? 

Perhaps, the one thing I'll share is this: my word for the year. It's in. No, not that choosing a word for the year is in. In. is. my. word. 

I was going to go with the word engage. The theme I had in mind with that was to engage deeply with God and others. But days later I was struck by someone's Facebook comment. It was a response to a shared link that was encouraging scripture memory and they posted, Yes. I'm in. (Thanks Dina Horne! I bet you had no idea that one of your comments could have such influence.) 

I know it might sound silly. Really? That's your word? In? A two-word preposition? And, you got it from a Facebook comment? Yes. I did. I like it, and I'm already seeing it all over the place.

I see this little word lining up with this definition: to be enclosed or surrounded by something. 

For instance, Paul begins the book of Ephesians with a greeting: To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. 

I live in Indy, and I'm in Christ Jesus. I love that this word is about being rather than doing. What does it mean for me to live in Indy? What does it mean to be in Christ Jesus? The answers have to do with my being. 

More from Ephesians: I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. Such an awesome thought!  

Or, a second way I see this little word fitting into life is this: to express a state or condition.

As in, I'm in love with Dennis. 

I think I'm going to have fun with this word. I know there will be times in 2014 when I'm in despair, but I hope in those moments or days I'll remember the positive side that in Christ I find my joy and peace. 

And, in 2014, I'm in when it comes to blogging!