Word for 2021 - Embrace

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Despite the fact that we're in the third week of January, I've decided to try (again) to keep the time-honored tradition of choosing a word to be a focus or theme for the year. I hadn't really planned on doing it this year, but one day this word was on my mind and I couldn't shake it. After thinking about it for awhile, I realized it would probably be a worthy focus.

And then there was this, in The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking:

The original word in Norwegian means well-being. However, hygge might originate from the word hug. Hug comes from the 1560s word hugge, which means "to embrace." The word hugge is of unknown origin - maybe it originates from the Old Norse hygga, which means "to comfort," which comes from the word hugr, meaning "mood." In turn, that word comes from the German word hugjan, which relates to the Old English hycgan, meaning "to think, consider." Interestingly, consideration, mood, comfort, hug and well-being may all be words to describe elements of what hygge is today.

As I've been reading about this Danish concept of hygge, and realizing that it describes very well what I'm hoping for in my home, I also realized that the whole concept is closely related to my focus on the word Embrace. More than just the word origin!

Now those who know me might be thinking, "wait a minute . . . Kym is not a hugger! This can't be right!" and that is accurate! I am generally not a hugger and honestly I've been pretty okay with the new respect everyone has for personal space! But at the same time, it's really not okay to continue all this anti-social distancing or to be so afraid of getting close to people. We do need hugs and closeness. We do need to embrace each other physically, at least sometimes. Some of us are more comfortable with that than others, and some of us need it more than others. Even though I'm not the kind of person that goes around hugging everyone at church or any social gathering, I am okay with a quick hug for an old friend I haven't seen for awhile. And for those in my 'inner circle', I'm glad to welcome them into my personal bubble for a hug. And obviously, if someone is grieving or hurting or there's another reason that they (or I) need the physical comfort and presence of being held in a warm embrace, I don't hesitate.

But there's more to my choice of the word Embrace than just hugs. That is the first definition in the dictionary, but other meanings include these:

to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly

to avail oneself of

to take in with the eye or the mind

to encircle; surround; enclose

There are a lot of things going on in the larger world and in my little world, and while I consider many of those things to be potentially harmful or negative, there are also some incredibly good things and good opportunities. I want to embrace those good things and enjoy them, and to be thankful for them. Most importantly, I want to receive and accept people into our circle of family and friends. Embrace people.

I hope to avail myself of those opportunities - embrace those moments and any opportunity I have to do good and to grow. Even negative circumstances can lead to opportunities to encourage, to persevere, to choose what is right, to lead, or to show love and kindness. Embrace opportunities to do good.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ~Galatians 6:10

Time is marching on. I'm getting older and so are my loved ones. My kids have grown up, and the time with them actually in my household grows shorter each day. Some people believe we are heading into the last days. I don't know how much time I, or any of us, have left, but I do know that I don't want to spend that time fighting or doing stupid stuff. I want to make that time positive and productive and joyful. I want to enjoy the moments I'm given, not be stuck in regret for the past or mired in anxiety about an unknown future. Embrace each day, each moment, as a gift.

That last definition in my list - to encircle or surround. That speaks to me of a safe place or haven. I hope I can create that sense of safety in my home. Hospitality and acceptance and love is what we should find here. An echo of what I wrote earlier - embrace others. And a reminder to live within the safety and security of God's embrace. 

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,

which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the LORD surrounds his people

both now and forevermore.

~Psalm 125:1-2

Whatever 2021 and the years to come have in store, may I encourage you to embrace God and his Word, to embrace the people you love, and to embrace all that God has for you. I'm doing my best to do the same.

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