January 6 My 2021 One Little Word

I don't choose a "word of the year" every year... last year I didn't and now I wish I had because I'd love to look back and read my thoughts about it after the year we went through. There are many people who talk about choosing a word to focus on for the year, like Ali Edwards, who teaches a class about it and sells products to scrapbook about your word throughout the year, but I don't do that myself. For me, it is a focus, a guide, something to reflect on and work on during the year.

My word for this year is the word GRACE.

I did a lot of thinking about it when I was on my retreat in December, listing words that came to mind and thinking about what my goals are for the new year. Once I pinned down a couple words, I looked up their definitions and thought about how they fit with my thoughts.

Here's the words that were on the list that I brainstormed... contentment, hope, rest, wait, seek, joy, search, discover, deliberate, trust, relax, invest, peace, grace, chill, clarity, see, and gentle. There's some themes there... I was thinking about what we'll likely face this year with life plans on hold for the foreseeable future and needing to trust God during that time with hope for the future, but I didn't want too passive of a word, because I want to be intentional every day to seek out good things that bring joy and help keep me sane during this dreary time (remember, I live in Buffalo, NY, so we are in the long gray days of winter! Usually I would be teaching in California and Florida and going to the trade show in Arizona and escaping the gray.) I want to be peaceful and not anxious during these days, but also, on the other hand, not becoming a slug with no ambition for the future.

Another area that I really want to work on is being more graceful or full of grace in my words and even in my thoughts towards other people. In these days of rancor and cynicism in our country, I constantly have to guard my thoughts to not go down those paths. I know that my mouth, my words, have been the biggest thing that has gotten me in trouble throughout my life, and that is something I want to consciously work on more this year. I also want to be fully conscious of receiving grace from others and most of all, from God. To me grace means kindness, gentleness, blessing, humility... things that I aspire to have more of each day.

What about you? Do you choose a word for the year? I'd love to hear what it is in the comments and maybe the reason why you chose that word - I think the reason why helps us actually put the word into practice as we face the new year.

Grace to you today! Love, Debby xoxo

Comments

[Denise Daniel]

Good morning, Debby. My Word for the Year is FLOURISH! I chose it, because I want to flourish in my walk with Christ as well as my artistic journey. In researching my word, I found that there are several scriptures that mention the word FLOURISH. Job 8:7 - Your beginning will seem so small, since your future will flourish. And I liked the definition of FLOURISH: to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as a result of a particularly favorable environment. The word really spoke to me in so many ways.
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday! blessings, denise xx

[Judy M Webb]

Debby, Just yesterday, I went though my personal scrapbooking albums. Smiled all the way through. I'm up to 5 weekends with you. Such fond memories. If our world ever settles down, maybe, I can do another weekend with you in Houston. Grace is a wonderful word. Happy New Year!! Judy Webb

[Janice Elder]

My word this year is WARRIOR. I am beginning my second year of fighting stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The battle is huge and I need the strength of a warrior to get through this.

[Deb Jones]

I don’t have a word this year so far. I’m just trying to hang on and get through right now. One thing gets over and I think “now I can start seeing some light” and wham along comes something new. If I didn’t have God to keep me grounded I’d be a mess. So maybe I should choose the word foundation and spend the year doing everything I can to strengthen it.

[Your Mom!!!]

My word last year was JOY. I love that word and last year overflowed with joy! I haven't thought about a word for this year! How about another of JOY!