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Jan 04, 2025 06:00am

Words

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Do you ever choose a word to focus on as you start the new year? I love this idea. See, words are my favorite. I just love them. I say a lot of them. I love to read them and write them, to hear them spoken or sung, to study them. I have certain words that mean a lot to me, some that bring me back to moments in time, some that bring a person to mind, some that bring joy or sadness, some that refocus me.

I try to start each morning with The Word. I try to refocus my heart with God’s Word, repeating it as a mantra when I need a reminder of God’s promises. His Word gives me life, joy, wisdom, strength. It draws me out from dark places to places of rejoicing and hope. It shifts my perspective and nudges my heart back in line. When I am distracted, His Word refocuses my heart on Him, protects me from slipping into lies.

I have been praying about what word God might have for me to focus on this year. A very long list came to mind, one that is not limited to the following:

Listen
Content
Disciple
Rest
Present
Aware
Intentional
Rejoice
Hope
Fullness
Renewed
Joy
Peace
Trust
Choices
Discernment
Wisdom
Love
Grace
Slow
Purposeful
Worshipful
Gratitude
Eucharisteo (my favorite word)
Blinders
Focus
Stillness
Release
Grasp

All of these words could help me focus on different things God wants me to keep in the forefront of my mind. I can tell you that “2024 Me” had a word/phrase (open-handed) picked out to focus on…and probably every other me for the last many, many years. I am glad I did. I took time to pray and evaluate and focus. And, I know God used that to point me to Him…but He had to keep doing that over and over all year…and I am so glad He repeatedly, gently and graciously took me by the shoulders and turned me back toward Him.

I suspect 2025 will be full of words…full of moments of gentle shoulder turning…maybe some not so gentle. I’m ready for it. Whatever words God puts on my heart. I’m ready. Want to join me?