In “long standing” blogging tradition, I’m choosing one word to represent my 2015.
Unlike resolutions or even goals which are easily broken, this is one word that I will keep coming back to as the mission or theme for the whole year.
My word for 2015 popped into my head back in October, and it hasn’t let me go since.
To be honest, I don’t really like this word. I don’t feel at all capable to live it out this year…which probably makes it pretty clear that it’s exactly what I need.
It is going to be a big challenge!
My One Word 2014
First, a look back at my one word for 2014…
NOW.
I intentionally didn’t look back at my post all year until just now, and I am amazed that I accomplished every one of the things I flippantly associated with the idea of Now. Here’s what I wrote a year ago about NOW.
“Enjoy my kids now.
Spend time with family and friends, now.
Exercise now.
Get out of debt now.
Write my next book, now?”
As you might know, we did get out of debt this year. By May, we had paid off $22,047 in just 9 months. At the time I wrote my One Word post, I never thought that we would finish paying off our debt IN 2014!
Maybe there’s something to this One Word thing?
We made the risky (aka expensive) but very rewarding move to live closer to family.
I did add one more book to my collection, and a new course, too, while avoiding the one that I know I’m really supposed to be writing.
I even got an unlikely opportunity that led me to do a small amount of consistent exercise every week.
Perhaps most important of all, I’ve been rediscovering the joy of motherhood and homemaking.
Here’s the thing, though. Terrified, I dug my heels in and resisted change at every turn this year. I came very close to saying no to almost every one of the opportunities that led to the blessing of reaching these goals.
No matter how I resisted, the word for 2014 was always NOW. Each change that came turned out to be so good.
Never easy; still scary; but living in the now moved us forward to some big milestones this year.
My One Word 2015
That word that started weighing on my heart and mind back in October?
GIVE.
Give time.
Give energy.
Give finances.
Give hospitality.
Give love, encouragement, and friendship.
This year, I know I can do this because. Well I can’t, but there’s this:
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NASB)
Even in this season when it doesn’t seem like there’s enough of anything to meet just our basic needs, I hope to face this year with less fear and resistance and more cheerful generosity.
I don’t know what 2015 will bring. I have a few ideas how this word might play out, but I am more excited to see the surprising ways that GIVE becomes a part of our lives (and the blog, too) in the coming year!
I would love to hear what your big goals are for for 2015. Share yours in the comments!
My prayers will be with you for your year of giving and growing! I know you to be very giving. This will be interesting. The power of the written word is an amazing thing! Diaries were a big deal in the olden days, when I was young. A similar idea, but then everything was private! It much better now, I believe, because brave people like you are willing to share their struggles, helping others to growth with them. My word for 2015 is “breathe”!
I pray you have some room to breathe and rest this year after all you have given so faithfully to others lately. Love you!
I love the 2014 goal of being present in the now. That is one of my goals for 2015. To not worry about all the chores and tasks that need to be done, but to focus on time with my toddler.
I love your word, Shannon! Giving is something that is so wonderful in that when we give, we are changed, the recipient is blessed, and God is glorified. I pray that God will move you this year to give in ways that impact His kingdom both on this earth and eternally.
My word for 2013 was joy. I focused on the truth that the joy of the Lord is my strength. For 2014, it was hope. I focused on the peace that because of Him, I have both hope for the present and the future hope of His return.
For 2015, it is wisdom. I want to walk in this world relying on His wisdom rather than my own.
May we be blessed in 2015 as we all live to glorify Him.