I’ve been choosing a word for the year for a while now.
It’s something I start thinking about around Thanksgiving, and I often “try on” a few different words before I know I’ve found the right one.
And I always know I’ve hit upon the right word because I cry. Every time God whispers in my heart, everytime He makes clear He is speaking to me (not literally), I cry – even though I’m not much of a crier in everyday life (well, except for those Disney movies. Dumbo gets me every time!).
This year, the end of December was here and I hadn’t even though about my word!
Last year’s word was TRUST (you can read about that here). In 2017, my word was CONTEND, and in 2016, my word was ENOUGH.
It’s always amazing to me how God uses this word throughout the year and how it is so meaningful.
I mean, it’s just a word really and seemingly random. But yet, it’s not.
Things are changing in a lot of ways.
Anyway, 2019 promises to be a year of great change in my life. My youngest son is graduating from high school, and my oldest son might also be going away to college in the fall. My nest promises to look very different at this time next year.
A new chapter, a new season is upon me, and I feel I am reaching a “bend in the road,” as Anne Shirley would say.
Not only that, but last Sunday was my last day with the Sunday school class I’ve been teaching for about 9 years. Weirdly, I can never remember exactly when I started, but life was very different back then. I had an 11-year-old and an 8-year-old. We were smack in the middle of the growing years. Neither Kipper nor I had any grey hair.
The way I see myself is also changing.
And then there’s that book I published. (Hook’s Daughter). I’m not sure why but I’ve found publishing a book has changed how I view myself in ways I never imagined. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but now I see myself AS a writer. Turns out, that mindset switch makes a big difference.
I had a hard time coming up with the right word this year.
There is excitement in starting a new season, but there is also a bittersweetness that comes at the end of one, too. I wanted a word that captured both of those things: looking forward and also letting go.
I threw around quite a few words: adventure, leap, expectant, brave. I posted about it in the PowerSheets group (great bunch even if I didn’t buy the book this year), and someone suggested Embrace.
And that was almost it, but it wasn’t quite right. (after all, it didn’t make me cry!).
Then, this morning, I was listening to Priscilla Shirer during my quiet time. She started teaching on the passage in Luke 9 where Jesus calls, equips and then sends out His disciples. When they return they are triumphant but exhausted. And then they all run into the multitude whom Jesus feeds with the five loaves and two fishes.
And suddenly I knew what my word for 2019 was: EQUIPPED.
Immediately, (well after the little crying spurt), I felt like I was being presumptuous. It was almost like I could hear the enemy hissing in my ear, “Who do you think you are to say you are equipped? What makes you think you’re ready for anything at all?”
For a moment, I was cowed by that voice. For a moment, doubt crept in, but then truth pushed it out. I sat up straighter and squared my shoulders because I knew who I was. I had faith that I was equipped for all the changes (and the inevitable discomfort that follows a lot of changes) that 2019 will surely bring.
I’m the daughter of the King of kings.
He has equipped me for every good work that He prepared for me to do before the foundations of the world.
What’s your word for 2019? I’d love to hear about it!
2 Comments on The Bend in the Road
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
That’s beautiful! Your reaction to the Satanic attack of doubt made me tear up! (I can’t say I’m not a crier anymore, because, you know, hormones.) 😀
My word for the past three years has been HOPE, because I felt that I had more to learn from it. This year, the Lord seemed to be saying to narrow my focus down. It’s still connected with hope, but now it’s FREEDOM. You can read a little about my decision at https://www.liladiller.com/blog/include-jesus-in-new-years-resolutions. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Lila! I love the word freedom. I’ll be interested to see what God does with that for you this year. 🙂