But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Happy New Year!
Did you choose your One Word for the New Year?
I have been reflecting, thinking, praying and have finally come up with my One Word for the New Year. Before I tell you what it is let me tell you a little about my journey.
One morning, I settled into my favorite comfy chair. I drank Gingerbread tea and read a couple of devotionals as a yummy cranberry-scented candle flickered beside me. I sat for a few quiet moments and contemplated what my One Word for the New Year might be.
“So Lord, you were right, CHANGE was the perfect word for me last year. Whew…lots of change. Some of it was really hard, but I made it through. What will it be this year?”
And that still small voice whispered, “WRITE.”
Oh, I loved that. Not only did I feel I was given my marching orders, but I felt as though I had really been given permission to make my writing my NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
“Okay…yes, great! Thank you. Write it is…”
And even that day, I wrote.
A couple of days later, I was rushing around a bit. I hadn’t written, which was fine because WRITE is my Word for the NEW Year. Oh and during those few days I hadn’t spent any intentional time with God either. Too much to do…assignments to complete, purchasse to make, food to prepare. Running, running, running…
Somehow, that still small voice managed to cut through all the noise. Somehow, God caught up with me as I panted my way through the holidays and for that I am so very grateful.
“Elise?” I felt a gentle tug from the Shepherd’s staff.
I stopped for a moment before I flew from my car to the store. “Yes?”
“Your Word for the New Year? It’s GOD.”
“Oh, okay.”
I sat for a moment, stunned and yet assured that God truly knows me and He knows what’s best for me. Because the word WRITE is a great word, I was eager to embrace it and act on it in this New Year. But I am so likely to run off and write, making it NUMBER ONE in my day. And really, it’s God who needs to be my NUMBER ONE, my FIRST PRIORITY.
So, “GOD,” is My One Word for the New Year.
What’s yours?
Leave a comment or link up your blog post below and tell us about your One Word, your resolutions, and plans for the New Year and you can win a $10 Starbucks card. Enjoy a cup or two of your choice as you reflect back on last year, imagine, and even plan for the year ahead.
If you didn’t choose a word yet and you want to, here’s a few posts that might guide you:
What’s You One Word for the New Year? from Our Stories God's Glory
Is One Word in the New Year More Powerful Than a List of 10 Resolutions? from Circles of Faith
Change Your Life With Just One Word from FaithGateway
One Word That Will Change Your Life from Jon Gordon
One Word 2012, VeggieTales and Free Buttons for your One Word from Only a Breath
And if you want to dig in a little deeper, read My One Word: Change Your Life with Just One Word by John Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen.
Elise Daly Parker has been married for 28 years and is mom to four mostly grown girls. She is a writer, editor, writing coach, and blogger. She believes we all have stories that matter--big life bios and small meaningful moments. Elise believes our stories are a reflection of God’s glory and are meant to be shared. They have the power to inform, reform, and transform. She loves God, family, friends...and really likes travel!