EMAIL THIS PAGE
PRINT
RSS
I thought today would be a good to post my interview with Alece, creator of One Word 2011. It's been a couple weeks for the New Year to sink in, and people's resolutions and values to be tested. At least for me they have!
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. What a blessing to celebrate a man with a dream. Someone who risked their life for a cause. Renee: "When did you start picking a word to be the anthem or theme of your year?"
Alece: Last year was the first time I chose a word to focus on all
year long. My word was RISK, and it shaped my life in huge
ways. I blogged all year about my commitment to risk more, and how
it played out in every area of my life.
Renee: "What made you take it to the blogopshere?"
Alece: My blog is my community -- the gathering place of an incredible
family of friends. Last year, I shared what I was doing and
encouraged The Grit family to join me. Naturally, I did the same
again this year too. I never anticipated the huge response that
erupted! As of today, 257 people have blogged about their One Word,
and it continues to grow. It has been incredible to hear how God has
already begun using people's words to challenge and change them. And
the community aspect of doing this together is beautiful.
Just amazing, really.
Renee: "Would you mind sharing the scary bits of your story and what
led you to the ministry you are NOW doing?"
Alece: The cliff-notes version of my life is that I moved to Africa at 19, got married, and helped pioneer a ministry to train indigenous leaders. In 13 years the ministry grew to a cross-cultural team of 60+ staff, and when my husband decided to leave for another woman, everything came crashing down. As for the scary bits, I think this season of relocating back to America and huge personal transition is by far more frightening than it was to move to Africa on my own as a teenager. I'm learning to live in this state of in-between, trusting God for a future I can't even envision or hope for. Yet.
Renee: "How can we help you (via support, prayer, love)?"
Alece: Never underestimate the power of encouragement. Random "love notes" and kind words are a huge source of strength for me. I also rest in the prayers of others'. They literally carry me on days when life feels impossible. Sometime soon I'm going to need to start looking at other ministry/non-profit jobs. It overwhelms me to think about right now, but soon... And I could use all the help I can get when that time comes.
Renee: "What is YOUR word for this year?"
Alece: My One Word for 2011 is LOOK. It's not a beautiful word, I
know. But it gets the job done. It reminds me everyday that if I
want to see God at work in the rubble of my life, I have to look for
Him. When it's hard, when I hurt, when I have no hope, I can still
choose to look for His hand holding mine. I'm living life with eyes
wide open this year, looking for His beauty in my ashes.
Renee: "Is there's one dream or wish in your heart for this next
season of your life, and would you mind sharing?"
Alece: To be honest, dreaming feels impossible right now. I spent my life
living the only dream I've ever had, and I'm still in a process of
grieving the loss of that. Some days it's hard to believe there will
be another dream for me, on others I can feel His redemption
bringing it closer. So I guess that's my dream for this season... I
dream for a dream. For new hope. For Him to redeem even this.
::
Renee: "Would you say you're living the dream right now--or is that something you're still working on?" |
