In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1 NASB).

Many people will make a New Years resolution for themselves in 2018. For the past five years, each of my family members has chosen one word on which to focus. Sometimes the new year brings a new word for each of us, but sometimes one of us might keep the same word for two years since it represents a certain “season” of our lives.

We do this because we move quickly these days from home to church to school to sports to tournaments and when we move too fast we miss it.

When we move too fast we miss the essential part of life.

The essential part of life is our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

When we slow down we begin to see His awesome fingerprints. He created us for “such as time as this” and has placed us where He wants us to be in order to grow and thrive in a relationship with Him.

Which is why instead of making resolutions which usually only last one month or two, we choose one word.

Our purpose behind choosing one word is to find one word to help us remember God is constantly at work in our lives. We choose one word to help us focus on Him, grow in Him, and rest in knowing that regardless of where we are, we are never alone. He always is with us.

In 2013 we traveled through the country of Tanzania in Africa and God gave me the word tumani which means “hope” in Swahili. Our lives were about to change in a huge way, so I clung to The Word which gave me hope as I leaned in and learned Change is certain. Christ is Constant.

I clung to hope for a long while which lead me to joy, love, and naches.

Naches, which in Yiddish means unspeakable joy, was the word to which I clung in 2017 through some difficult times. When my heart was full of unspeakable joy, which came from just knowing the Father was pleased with me for being who I am, it was hard to let the things that came against me shake me.

Throughout the years, my kids have each chosen a few great words such as focus, perseverance, joy, and patience. They are beginning to understand where they are in life and how much they need to rely on God to help them through and then rejoice with Him when He gets them to the other side of an obstacle they were facing!

This year I am focusing on being intentional with my time, my family, and my writing. My word for 2018 is “intention” which means to plan ahead, pay attention to the details, and live with purpose.  In my heart I know God works with intention and so should we. Intention comes from a heart that is content in Christ.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (Ephesians 1:7-10 NASB).

How do you choose only one word? 
1. Reflect on last year and thank God for the gifts He gave.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (James 1:17 NASB).

2. Pray over where you wish you were more present last year.

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises (James 5:13 NASB).

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms (Psalm 95:2 NASB).

3. Identify an area in your life you would like for God to help you sharpen or refine.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 NASB).

4. Choose one word on which to focus in 2018 to help you remember that you are never alone, God is at work behind the scenes, He has a plan for your life, and He will strengthen and help you.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (I Corinthians 3:13 NASB). 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 NASB).

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB).

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NASB).

Choosing one word helps you to live intentionally and with purpose. What will be your one word that leads you closer to The Word in 2018?

From our family to yours, Happy New Year!
May God bless you and keep you in His care throughout this new year!
Many Blessings,