Tag: resolutions

Growing in 2022

For the last several years, I have adopted the “choose a word” idea for the new year. I had tried the New Year’s Resolutions for years, but it just wasn’t working out. Things would go great until school started back for the spring semester (you know, around January 4th or 5th), and then it just all seemed to fall apart. After our son died, it became impossible.  

There are so many layers to grief. One of the things that became incredibly difficult for me to do after Joshua’s death was scheduling – dentist appointments, oil changes, etc. My brain just couldn’t process the logistics anymore. So, the whole idea of New Year’s Resolutions was daunting. I was already dreading the date change. It meant a new year was approaching that Joshua would not be a part of. Trying to create a list of all the things that I was going to do differently, was just too much. Then, a friend shared with me this approach of a single word. It was a game-changer for me.

I didn’t feel the stress or the pressure to complete a to-do list everyday. I also felt like it helped me gain strength and understanding because it was a more focused approach. It allowed me to work on just one thing, just one. Not a long list. I could make decisions through the lens of that one idea, that one word. It made a huge difference in every area of my life. Now, I am ready to do even more with it. More than just choose the word and wait and see what happens. I want to be more intentional with it, I want to learn more about what scripture says, I want to challenge myself. So, I’m trying something new this year.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Each month, I am going to sit down and reflect on the past month, intentionally focusing on the word that I have chosen, what scripture says about it, what some of my experiences have been, and any missed opportunities to apply it. I’m also going to challenge myself to stretch outside my comfort zone a little. It won’t be anything fancy, just some questions and ideas to help me make the most of 2022 as I seek to look more like Jesus and less like the world.

God created us and knows the wisdom we will gain from reflecting on the past as we seek to grow closer to Him. He knows that we will grow stronger in our faith as we spend time in His word. He knows that we will be more prepared to take on satan when he attacks. Be forewarned, whatever word you choose, satan will be ready to test you. He will be ready to give you opportunities to grow in that area.

God is also ready to walk with you, to give you strength, to encourage you, and to fight with you. You are never alone. 

If you are interested in trying this approach with me, I will be sharing my reflection questions on this blog. I would love to hear about your journey! I hope you will share with me how things are going either in the comments or in an email. Together, we are quite the opponent against the evil one, and it is an honor to fight him alongside you. 

Click here for January’s reflection.

2022 is coming!

It’s about that time of the year when I begin to plan and think about what I want to focus on next year. It’s that time of the year when I start looking for my word or phrase for the year. I started this several years ago after a friend shared this idea with me. I have never been good at New Year’s Resolutions. Oh, I could make quite the list and would have quite the aspirations. Then life would happen, and my beautiful schedule that included all of my do’s and don’ts would get all discombobulated. Ultimately, I would feel like a failure for not being able to keep all of my resolutions.

Choosing a word or phrase for the year has made such a difference for me! Now instead of a list of things to do or a list of things not to do, I have one area to focus on all year with a scripture that guides my thoughts and my decision-making. It has been especially helpful when life becomes difficult.

The first year, I chose the phrase “run your race” (Hebrews 12:1). It was a couple of years after our son died, and I couldn’t stop comparing my life to the lives of those around me. Thanksgiving had just ended, complete with all of the pictures of intact families. Christmas was coming, and I knew there would be more pictures to follow. My family felt so broken and lost. We were missing a huge piece of our lives. I knew that I had to focus on my race and run it, not try to run someone else’s. It made a huge difference.

Another year, I chose the word “courage” (Joshua 1:9). I am afraid of just about everything. I wanted to stop feeling afraid and instead walk with courage into daily life. While I am still not courageous enough to go bungee jumping or skydiving, I did ride rollercoasters in the dark a couple of months ago! That’s a win!

Another year, I chose the phrase “open my eyes” (Psalm 119:18). I felt like I was missing out on some of the blessings that God was lavishing on me. I wanted to see all of the blessings and all of the opportunities that He gave me. That year, I focused on looking for both. The saying is true; we do find what we are looking for. 

What I love about this idea is that even years later, I continue to find myself thinking about the words or phrases that I chose. They continue to influence my life and my walk with the Lord.

I’m still searching the scriptures and praying for just the right word or phrase this year. It will come, at just the right time. I’m so excited for all the possibilities!

How about you? Do you choose a word or phrase for the year? I would love to hear about it!

New Year’s Resolutions – Not a Fan

For years, I would spend a couple of days before New Year’s writing down my resolutions. I would have quite the list – things I wanted to do better, things I wanted to do everyday, ways I would keep the house cleaner, and the list goes on and on. Usually by day 2, it was over. Life would get in the way, and I just didn’t have time to tackle the list of 10-15 things to do every single day. And then I would feel like a failure. It was such a frustrating cycle to go through year after year.

A few years ago, a friend shared that she didn’t write New Year’s Resolutions. Instead, she would choose a word to focus on for the year. Something she wanted to be more intentional about throughout the year. I thought it was a great idea. That first year, though, I couldn’t think of just a word. A phrase kept coming to me over and over – Run your race. 

Our son had passed away a couple of years earlier, and it was a struggle to not compare my life to everyone else who seemed so happy, whose prayers seemed to be answered when mine weren’t. The entire year, I focused on running my race and doing what God had called me to do. I sought out scripture and spent more time praying for God’s help as I tried to run my race well. It worked for me so much better than a list of resolutions. 

Last year, I did choose a single word – “courage.” I am afraid of so many things, and I hate it! I don’t want to be afraid. Again, I spent time in God’s word learning from those who demonstrated courage in scripture. One of my favorite quotes from the year is “Courage is not the absence of fear.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt) I’m still a work in progress when it comes to flying, but I have found some incredible scriptures that I use to remind myself that God is in control.

This year, I have chosen a phrase – open my eyes. The writer of Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law.” I am asking God to open my eyes to both the blessings He pours out on me everyday and the opportunities He provides for me to share His love with others. I don’t want to miss a single one of either.

What about you? Do you have a word or phrase for the year? I would love to hear what you have chosen!