Pic for the Year (#Pic4year) 2012

75 Comments 27 December 2011

A few weeks ago I wrote about asking God to give you a picture for the year. I’ve been praying about this as well, seeking God for pictures. Wondering what He would show me. Curious to see how He’d visually communicate with me.

Here’s how I explained the quest earlier:

And here is the picture God gave me:

Why? I think it has something to do with the word “abundance” that keeps being whispered and prayed over me the past two years. It started with Cape Town 2010 where a new friend shared that word with me. And it continued all last year through various people (folks I knew, folks I didn’t know). The old has passed away. The new has come.

I’ve transitioned in the past year from “turning trials to triumph” to “live uncaged.” From looking back so much (too much?) to joyfully anticipating the future. From stagnating to genuine growth. From winter to spring.

Lilacs are my favorite flowers of all time because they are fragrant beyond measure, and they need a harder winter to flourish. (I can’t grow them in Texas, for example). So when we went to Colorado this summer, I felt like God hugged me when I found this lilac bush. It’s a reminder of the past, but a beautiful one. A remembrance of winter, but more like a fading memory, like the pain of childbirth after seeing the face of your baby.

Isaiah wrote, “Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make rivers in the desert, roadways in the wilderness.” (43:18-19). 2012 is a year for new. For flourishing. For abundance. Despite outward circumstances which inevitably fluctuate, abundance will thrive deep inside me (Lord willing).

So what is your picture for the year? What about your friend’s? I’m starting a link party below for the next several weeks. Here’s what to do:

Prayerfully ask God to give you a picture.
Post about that picture and link to this blog post: http://www.marydemuth.com/2011/12/picfortheyear/
Jump over here and enter your picture, a short explanation, and your blog URL here.
Then spread the word (if you want to). If you want to tweet about it use the hashtag #pic4year

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Be Sociable, Share!

Related posts:

Be Sociable, Share!

« Emmanuel, God with us.

Start the new year with freedom from the past »

Anonymous

Oh how beautiful, Mary! I love how you came to this choice, the journey of how God brought you this far… So encouraging!! I will be linking up this week!

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Awesome! I look forward to your picture.

Anonymous

Oh how beautiful, Mary! I love how you came to this choice, the journey of how God brought you this far… So encouraging!! I will be linking up this week!
http://livingwithpayne.blogspot.com/ Leslie Payne

This is wonderful, Mary. I’ve been seeking a word for the year, but I am such a visual person. I am now going to pray for my photo for the year. Thanks for the encouragement.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

I’m that way too, Leslie.

http://livingwithpayne.blogspot.com/ Leslie Payne

This is wonderful, Mary. I’ve been seeking a word for the year, but I am such a visual person. I am now going to pray for my photo for the year. Thanks for the encouragement.
http://lauraboggess.com Laura Boggess

Oh, Mary. You always inspire me. I can almost smell that lilac now. I’ll be praying for a picture–but, just to say, you and your words have been such a blessing to me. Happy, fragrant, abundant New Year to you.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Thanks Laura!

Holly Smith

Not sure how to link up but I got a picture of an eagle molting. The funny thing is I have had a dream that I ran a horse out of my house and no longer fed it. Next, I went to the back of my house outside and witnessed an eagle molting. The molting process allows an eagle to get new feathers. They lose their plumage so that the new can grow and replace the old. The eagle looks scruffy, vulnerable, and weak at this time.They come through this process renewed and beautiful like a young bird again physically. The fact that they are experienced and aged makes them even better than a young bird.
I relate to this picture because I have been in the process of trying to run the horse out of my house. A horse represents your own strength (Ps. 33:17) and God has shown me over this year that I must trust Him to give me the words to speak and walk in His strength. He has pried my hands from the safe, secure, predictable life. The familiar Isaiah 40:29-31 passage tells us that God increases the power of the weak and renews the strength of those who hope in Him. With His empowerment, we can soar on wings like eagles and run and not grow weary. The old is gone and the new has come. The limp I received from this season is a reminder not to rely on myself anymore but God.
I think my prayer would be to come out of this vulnerable time renewed and strong and able to help others. The fact that I am older now serves as an advantage. I am reminded of Naomi coming back to life as she shared her wisdom with Ruth. She was able to help nurture the new baby that was born in the line of David. I pray your molting time and mine lead to our being refreshed and revived to soar again.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Awesome words and story, Holly. May you soar and get rid of the horse!
http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Awesome words and story, Holly. May you soar and get rid of the horse!
http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Awesome words and story, Holly. May you soar and get rid of the horse!

Holly Smith

Thanks Mary you are a wonderful example to all of us of a transformed life living free and by the truth that sets free!

Holly Smith

I think this is a great idea and will suggest it to others on my site to link to yours now for their picture. Check out my link http://hollywsmith.com/ Thanks Mary!

Terr

Hi Mary,

I’ve never commented on your post, but I have to take the time to do so now. My picture for the year actually would be the picture of the table that you held up. It’s the table in the courtyard, laid out with candles. When you held that photo up, I thought to myself that this is exactly how I would decorate my table.

This year for me is very special. It’s the first year that I’ve actually stated a strong goal and created multi-tiered plans to support my goal. This is a year of preparing for abundance in my own way. My thirties have been so horrible. I’m not just talking about a bad year or two. I’m talking about a bad season, a bad era of biblical proportions!

However, I will turn 40 in 2012. One of my prayers for 2012 is that I can experience a season of prosperity. After so many bad years, I have to develop my faith in this area. However, my gut tells me that it’s time for a prosperous season in my life.

The abundance that I’m working towards is new friends, a husband, new geography and a new and solid career based upon my God-given talents. These might not seem like they should be hard to come by but when we aren’t where we are meant to be in any area of our lives, one would be amazed at how hard the simple aspects of live can be?

By the way, I live in Texas as well. I saw the photo of the Lilacs and I immediately thought to myself that those looked like the flowers that bloom on trees every spring, filling the air with the most exotic perfume. Then I read you were in Texas and I thought, “Aha!”.

Thank you for creating a post to help me stay in the spirit.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Sounds like you’ve had a hard time, but even so, God is good. You’re right. It’s perspective.

http://www.freedom-connection.org/ Tammy Bunk

Mary,

This is perfect timing as I have set aside this week in particular to hear from the Lord about 2012 and the season ahead. I now will be asking for a picture! What a great idea as God often speaks to me in pictures. I just had never thought about merging the two concepts – picture from God and the direction and emphasis for 2012. I will let you know what comes of it. Thank you!
Blessings to you!
Tammy

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

May Jesus bless your set aside time.

Connie Chandler

Hey Mary, I loved this challenge! I serve as a missionary in Indiana, serving international refugees in various ways, and one of my main focuses is on youth. The majority of our youth are African and from Muslim backgrounds. This picture was taken last summer of one of our youth writing the word “Miracle” with chalk on the blacktop. I wrote a little reflection about it on my blog: http://conniesbowlofcherries.blogspot.com/2011/12/looking-back-and-looking-ahead.html. Enjoy, and thanks for the idea!

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

I love that!

Connie Chandler

Hey Mary, I loved this challenge! I serve as a missionary in Indiana, serving international refugees in various ways, and one of my main focuses is on youth. The majority of our youth are African and from Muslim backgrounds. This picture was taken last summer of one of our youth writing the word “Miracle” with chalk on the blacktop. I wrote a little reflection about it on my blog: http://conniesbowlofcherries.blogspot.com/2011/12/looking-back-and-looking-ahead.html. Enjoy, and thanks for the idea!
Connie Chandler

Hey Mary, I loved this challenge! I serve as a missionary in Indiana, serving international refugees in various ways, and one of my main focuses is on youth. The majority of our youth are African and from Muslim backgrounds. This picture was taken last summer of one of our youth writing the word “Miracle” with chalk on the blacktop. I wrote a little reflection about it on my blog: http://conniesbowlofcherries.blogspot.com/2011/12/looking-back-and-looking-ahead.html. Enjoy, and thanks for the idea!
Melissa May

Quite soon after I read this post this afternoon this idea (of the smiling lion hanging from the laundry line) came to mind. I’m a new missionary South of the equator (new as in just arrived in the country 2 weeks ago!) and feel a bit upside-down but want to smile through this year anyway. : ) Thanks for the idea and thank You, Lord, for the picture.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

That picture is priceless!

Raye Cage

Lilacs are my favorite flower too. Ever since you shared the idea of a picture for the year I’ve had one in my mind of me kneeling before the king. I haven’t found a real pic that resonates with me yet. But I’m sure I will eventually.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Even just an image in your mind will be a blessing.

http://hopetofind.blogspot.com/ Colleen Reske

This idea was wonderful, and surprisingly I easily found an image and a thought for my new year! I wrote about it on my blog Hope to find (http://hopetofind.blogspot.com) where I linked back to your page. Thank you for your inspiration and the hope you bring. Blessings of the new year to you and your family!
http://hopetofind.blogspot.com/ Colleen Reske

This idea was wonderful, and surprisingly I easily found an image and a thought for my new year! I wrote about it on my blog Hope to find (http://hopetofind.blogspot.com) where I linked back to your page. Thank you for your inspiration and the hope you bring. Blessings of the new year to you and your family!

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Thanks for sharing your post about light, Colleen.

cas

There is something happening HERE!… everytime i read your prayer … waterworks! overflow! somehow the words you share taps into a place (search sometime Frederick Buechner’s words on unexpected tears…). Anyway… you mentioned purple… my husband was watching a movie called “Everything Illuminated” and at end a song during credits… “I shall wear purple!” … a joyous song. I looked up the words and it was inspired by a book and poem with same words . It is about (to me) not waiting until we think we are able or ready… but to live what God puts in our hearts and not to worry about self or what the world says we are supposed to be… This kind of living i realize will take God’s strength, trusingt in Him, and like you said a “picture” or vision for our life. I had a dream about purple … still looking at the meaning. Bless all this new year.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Awesome, Cas. May your picture become even more apparent, and may you live what God puts in your heart.

Kkmagtowle

One day several years ago while crying out to God He blessed me by confirming a specific promise to me with the sight of a red cardinal. Since then every time I see or hear one of these beautiful birds my heart leaps with joy, its like our own “secret little sign” between the two of us. I remember not to long ago during my quiet time early one morning I could hear the squeak of a cardinal right below my window, laying my bible aside I rushed to the window to get a glimpse of “Him” near by, instantly I heard in my spirit as I gazed out the window – Isn’t hearing me enough??……My “picture” for this year came in the form of an ornament. I was attending a woman’s Christmas party with my mom and God blessed me with the ornament picture below. I say that it is PREGNANT with PROMISE for the year 2012!
Kkmagtowle

One day several years ago while crying out to God He blessed me by confirming a specific promise to me with the sight of a red cardinal. Since then every time I see or hear one of these beautiful birds my heart leaps with joy, its like our own “secret little sign” between the two of us. I remember not to long ago during my quiet time early one morning I could hear the squeak of a cardinal right below my window, laying my bible aside I rushed to the window to get a glimpse of “Him” near by, instantly I heard in my spirit as I gazed out the window – Isn’t hearing me enough??……My “picture” for this year came in the form of an ornament. I was attending a woman’s Christmas party with my mom and God blessed me with the ornament picture below. I say that it is PREGNANT with PROMISE for the year 2012!

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

What a great story! Love that birdie.

Lawrence J Caldwell

I had a dream about three weeks ago and here is the first time I share it. I walked through the deserted halls of the church I grew up in. Whenever I dream about this church it is empty. I am always looking for the bathroom. When I find it, the fixtures are complicated and nobody is there to help. Then my dream switched to the church I go to now. I was prostrate on the front stage, crying for joy. Each time I poked my head up to look, more people were coming forward. Each one got down on their knees and worshipped the Lord. There was sobbing, smiling, comforting sounds all around.

Worship is simply the humble bowing of the knee, prostrating oneself, or bowing to kiss the hand of God. It is this beautiful picture of holiness and oneness in spirit that is worship.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

I love this! Perfect! Thanks for sharing your dream, Lawrence.

http://livingwithpayne.blogspot.com/ Leslie Payne

Thanks again for the encouragement to do this. My image for the coming year is of the giant Redwood trees. I them saw for the first time in February. They were awesome in the truest sense of the word. The word that goes along with them is “steadfast,” for the Lord’s faithfulness in our lives. Steadfast is also what I need to be to complete my novel and see it through. I’ve printed the photo and hung it above my desk. I know it’s going to help me keep on course. Grace & Peace, Leslie

Mary DeMuth

Love that picture!!! Love redwoods. Great message too.

http://alexmarestaing.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/now/ Alex Marestaing

This year I want to live in the now, trusting God for the future and forgetting the dissapointments of the past. As my kids grow older, I want to savor every moment with them, every game, every conversation, every prayertime. Life’s too short for anything else.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Such good words, convicting too.

http://alexmarestaing.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/now/ Alex Marestaing

This year I want to live in the now, trusting God for the future and forgetting the dissapointments of the past. As my kids grow older, I want to savor every moment with them, every game, every conversation, every prayertime. Life’s too short for anything else.
http://www.topsyturvyland.com/ Donna Shepherd

My post is here:
http://www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-pic-of-year-2012.html Thanks for the inspiration!

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Thanks for participating!

http://twitter.com/possesspromises Karen Roberts

Mary, Thank you for encouraging us to post the picture that God has given us for 2012. This was truly a soul-searching time to reflect upon 2011 and what God plans for us in 2012. Last year was a time of proving God’s work and power in my life. Next year is a year of prayer, poise, preparation, and power on this Pilgrim’s Progress. Wishing you a year filled with many blessings and your heart’s desire. My link iso http://wp.me/p1Urud-2z

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Thanks Karen. Wow, great picture.

Irene Wong

Thank you for your generosity of sharing, I appreciate that very much!
Irene Wong

Thank you for your generosity of sharing, I appreciate that very much!
Irene Wong

Thank you for your generosity of sharing, I appreciate that very much!

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

My pleasure, Irene.

http://www.triciaoriginals.com/ Tricia O’riginals

Just what I need! I picked a Willow Tree as my picture for 2012 because it’s a place I can retreat to to meditate and listen to wisdom that comes in quiet moments. The Willow is perfect too because it’s sort of a sheltering place to be beneath the beauteous Willow sort of like being hidden in Christ. I placed the picture where I can see it daily and in my imagination I can go there. Trish.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Great picture idea. I love willows.
http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Great picture idea. I love willows.

http://www.triciaoriginals.com/ Tricia O’riginals

Just what I need! I picked a Willow Tree as my picture for 2012 because it’s a place I can retreat to to meditate and listen to wisdom that comes in quiet moments. The Willow is perfect too because it’s sort of a sheltering place to be beneath the beauteous Willow sort of like being hidden in Christ. I placed the picture where I can see it daily and in my imagination I can go there. Trish.
c stahl

Since the first post about a “pic for the year” I had been asking God for one. New Year came and I still didn’t have a pic. So I reminded God and went outside to get something and upon returning to the house I looked at the sky and noticed it was a strange color blue when I looked to the left, this is what I saw….

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Beautiful

http://www.leannepenny.com Leanne Penny

I love this, I think mine will be seeds in a garden… or something with space. Right now it feels like a tightrope walker and that’s a stressful picture for 2012, and not what I’m going for.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Yeah, that would be a stressful picture!

http://www.leannepenny.com Leanne Penny

I love this, I think mine will be seeds in a garden… or something with space. Right now it feels like a tightrope walker and that’s a stressful picture for 2012, and not what I’m going for.
Danielle k. Jones

I just linked up! This is such a great idea! Thanks, Mary.

God lead me to this little friend. This faith in-between reminder. I’m in the stretching process…. knowing God has the good-sweet-pleasant nectar on the other side for me, but the path in-between may be uncertain. A little scary. But, He’s there. Leading and guiding.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Great picture!

Diana

Mary when I saw this challenge I immediately wanted to do it though I am new to blogging (the pic was my third post). My photo is the tilled garden. I would not have heard what God was saying through this photo if I had not taken your challenge. This message will help guide my days throughout 2012.

Thanks so much.
Diana
Diana

Mary when I saw this challenge I immediately wanted to do it though I am new to blogging (the pic was my third post). My photo is the tilled garden. I would not have heard what God was saying through this photo if I had not taken your challenge. This message will help guide my days throughout 2012.

Thanks so much.
Diana
http://lauraboggess.com Laura Boggess

I’m already behind in the New Year, but I”ve finally found my picture . I’m on the linky, but here’s my post url:

http://www.lauraboggess.com/2012/01/epiphany-picture-for-year.html

This picture speaks peace and strength to me. Reminds me of my humanity and the need to rely on God. It’s a big sigh for me. Thanks for making me think in pictures, Mary. Love it.
http://monicasharman.wordpress.com/ Monica Sharman

My first thought is that lilac leaves are *perfect* for making chocolate leaves!
Diankamac

Last year my word was HOPE, so this year the word that came to me was EMPOWERED. God greatly encouraged me over last year, helping rid me of fears I had for a long time. The pic is a cut tile carved and painted by my daughter. It is me with my hands up–freedom!
Diankamac

Last year my word was HOPE, so this year the word that came to me was EMPOWERED. God greatly encouraged me over last year, helping rid me of fears I had for a long time. The pic is a cut tile carved and painted by my daughter. It is me with my hands up–freedom!
http://thescienceofmusic.blogspot.com Rachel Salazar

The word “story” has been on my heart for a while…and the importance of listening to others’ stories, of telling my own, and of living one worth telling. It took a while to find a picture to go along with it, and even longer to write a post about it, but I finally got it up and linked here. I love the idea of a visual reminder…it’s so easy to forget things when life gets in the way!
polly eckert

Hi Mary,
After some thinking time, I would offer this picture of my son. He is hanging in the air, blocking a kick in a football game. The kicker puts everything within him into the power of his leg at that moment of impact. My son throws everything he has into jumping, reaching, and stretching himself to his limits. The intimidation of the blocker looms in the back of the mind of the kicker. The threat of great pain looms in the back of the mind of the blocker. The kicker has to hurry. The blocker rushes, but the pressure of time is on the kicker. I would like to be like my son this year and block the pressure of the world to hurry me into some great effort to score. I would rather stay in the journey with the Lord. He knows the exact timing, His strength is perfect, and when I am stretched to my limits He protects me. Immanuel, God is with me. Much grace,
Polly Eckert

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

Love that picture and the explanation!

Leslie

This photo I took in 2009 came across my computer screen this weekend and I realized that it is my picture for 2012. I’ve been working on a bridge idea for a while. I guess I should say God is teaching me a lot through the symbolism of a bridge. This picture gives me a new perspective of that bridge…an easy bridge to cross with beautiful scenery on the other side.
Leslie

This photo I took in 2009 came across my computer screen this weekend and I realized that it is my picture for 2012. I’ve been working on a bridge idea for a while. I guess I should say God is teaching me a lot through the symbolism of a bridge. This picture gives me a new perspective of that bridge…an easy bridge to cross with beautiful scenery on the other side.
Leslie

This photo I took in 2009 came across my computer screen this weekend and I realized that it is my picture for 2012. I’ve been working on a bridge idea for a while. I guess I should say God is teaching me a lot through the symbolism of a bridge. This picture gives me a new perspective of that bridge…an easy bridge to cross with beautiful scenery on the other side.

http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

What a beautiful picture and a great message too. Thanks for sharing it.
http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

What a beautiful picture and a great message too. Thanks for sharing it.