One Word - 2014

Can you believe another year is already over?

I know it's been a while since I've posted, and I do have quite a few things to write about, so you can expect a few posts coming in the next few weeks as we kick off the new year. But there was one thing I needed to come on here and write about before the end of 2013.

I am looking ahead to 2014 and all that God will do in my life this coming year. It's time again for my One Word.

My one word for 2013 was "LEAN".  I was beginning the new year in the wake of a miscarriage, and everything in my life felt overwhelming. I felt that I needed the Lord in ways I never before imagined. I longed for His presence; I longed for His truth.

The song that got me through that time was by Laura Hackett, "You brought me to the wilderness when I will learn to sing. You let me know my barrenness so I will learn to lean."

I really did learn to lean on God in a whole new way in 2013. My husband and I stepped out and said yes to God on something that we had so many questions about. I went through trials and testings that I wasn't necessarily prepared for, but through it all, I learned to lean wholly on the Lord. His affirmation and His peace were my lifelines through difficulties. I leaned on Him. And He gave grace, love, teaching and truth.

This year I'm in a much different place. Time has strengthened me and a lot of healing has happened. We are settled in a new home, a new place with a new ministry. I feel as though this year I am walking into uncharted territory in my parenting. We will be welcoming another child this year (more on that later, I promise!) and we will be walking full fledge into homeschooling 2 children. I am learning to grow in my position as a wife and a homemaker and, as I find myself spinning many plates, I am learning to balance and to juggle.

All of that said: my one word for 2014 is "DISCIPLINE"

This year I want to become a better manager of my home. I want to gain discipline in all areas so that I can create space and time to pursue the things I enjoy, and the things that will bring my family joy. I want to slow down. I don't want to rush around, I want to slow down. And in order to do that, I need to grow in discipline. To make time for the important things, and to lose time for the unimportant. I want to gain the discipline to say no to the things that are unproductive and to say yes to the things that further my missions and my goals as a homemaker. 

So there you have it. Perhaps a little undramatic, but it truly is something I want to build into my life this year.

Thank you to all my faithful readers who stick with me even through the waxes and wanes of my posting. Hopefully through a more disciplined timeline, I will be writing on here much more often :) Look forward to a few posts with some new from me as the year begins! 

Happy New Year everyone!

One Word - 2013

It's a brand new year.

Last year I was inspired by Only a Breath to join her One Word movement. My one word for 2012 was Increase. Hopefully I'll find time to sit and do a review of 2012 post soon, but for now I want to focus on my one word for 2013.

I'm excited about this year's word.

It came to me during a prayer and worship time in my room. I was listening to new worship music and found the song "Beautiful Mercy" by Laura Hackett. (which I referenced in my last blog post). As I was singing that song back throughout the next couple of days, I kept going back to the one line that I quoted in my last post... "You brought me to the wilderness where I will learn to sing, you let me know my barrenness so I will learn to lean." And it struck me. This needs to be a year of leaning. A year of leaning into the Lord and pressing into Him. I need him so desperately. 2012 wasn't my easiest year. I not only nearly lost my new son's life in March but I also lost our baby in November. It was such a deeply difficult year. BUT in the midst of tragedy, I have found a deeper, stronger relationship with Christ. I truly feel as though in 2013, I am going to need to lean in. I feel it is urgent that I lean in so closely to Christ that I become intertwined with Him again. In the busyness of life and raising my children and keeping my home it is easy to just make Him just another part of the day. But I want so much more than that. I want to be leaning into Him so fully that He envelopes EVERY part of my day. I have a list of Godly inspirational books I want to read and the Bible tops the list. I want to kick my quiet time up a few million notches and I want to leave the prayer room live on constant play during my day. I want to not only lean into Christ myself, but I want my kids to also. I want to create an atmosphere of worship and leaning in my home.

I am so looking forward to what this year will bring. Leaning into Christ can only bear beautiful fruit in my heart and life. I am ready to lean in and know Him more. He has captivated me all over again and I am longing to find myself in Him. I am so thankful for the places He has brought me and for the hope and truth that He has never abandoned me. Even in brokenness, even in grief... He's been right there. I am so thankful He has given me a new year. I am so ready to lean in.

Welcome, 2013.