Listen... And ACT in 2015

Just before 2014 began, I realized a pretty obvious truth:  I am not a noun sort of girl.  

I am a do-er.  A verb girl.  

So it was that I found myself nixing all the words I'd been thinking about as a guiding word for 2014 and writing this:

"...I began to listen to the now not-so-small voice inside of me that directed my word for 2014 was to be a verb.
A verb that could encapsulate many of the nouns on the busy collage of words that had popped into my mind and played tug-of-war my with heart over the past few weeks. One that would help me grow as God's child.  As a unique individual.  As a wife.  As a mom.  Even as a homemaker and as a partial provider for our family.  A word that, ironically, the Spirit been trying to reach me with the entire time I had prayed at Adoration and in all the time since.
When I finally heard the word, I laughed.

Listen

 Yes, listen.

LISTEN is the word.

Stop thinking.  Cease searching.  Pause praying.  Just listen.  To your children.  To your husband.  To your heart.  To. Your. God."

Today, as I reflect upon 2014 and look forward to 2015, I smile.  

I may not have always stopped thinking, ceased searching and paused praying long enough to truly listen on every occasion I could have in 2014.  But, I listened more often than I had before.

I still may not be the best version of myself that I can be.  In fact,  have plenty of room to grow as a Child of God, wife, mom, homemaker and more.  But, I am growing.

And in 2015 I shall grow more and I continue to listen.

In fact, over the past few weeks, I've become quite proficient at listening through the din of daily thoughts and activities at times.  And, in doing so, I have heard a number of words in my heart and in my mind as possible guiding words for 2015, but it wasn't until today that I heard THE word.  

Yes, today, after prayer and in the midst of typical daily activities, I heard a whisper in my heart, that became an echo in my mind, which stirred an aha in my soul:  ACT!

So often I tell my children that I want them to listen and act.  I know that my Father wants the same of me.  Not just to listen.  Not even just to acknowledge that I have heard.  But to act.  

To act upon each of the roles I am called to in my present existence.  

To act with immediate and intentional choice each time I answer one of my own favorite questions -- "What can I do to make this moment better?" 

To act on the stirrings of soul that I am becoming more and more aware of.  

To act with love, trust, faith, purpose, integrity, virtue...

To listen and to act.  That is my charge in 2015.  What is yours?  What word may guide you to unwrapping a better version of yourself or your life in the coming year?

This post is linked at Schoolhouse Review Crew and  A Glimpse of Our Life, where you will find others' "One Word for 2015".