my word for the year

at the beginning of each new year, i pray for one word. a word that gives me a little direction for my life. two years ago my word was simplify. that was the year we simplified our life, our belongings, so we could move to wales. it was also the year God simplified me spiritually. He chiselled me. He made me uncomfortable. He shaved off little bits of myself that i held onto in order to grow me more like Him. last year my word was love. i learned so much last year on loving the unlovable, loving when it was uncomfortable, and loving with more compassion.

both words were spot on for how i needed to grow that year or for what was taking place in my life at that time.

this year is no exception. since early december, i had been praying for my word for 2016. i heard nothing until the first sunday in january. we had just returned back to america for the holidays. pastor clyde thomas, a pastor from wales, was in town with his wife visiting our church and learning about our ministries. he was also preaching the service that day. i took a ton of notes in my journal, but one verse in particular jumped off those pages and straight to my heart.

1 corinthians 16:13
keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

those words had been the desire of my heart lately. i wanted to hold tight, give it all i got, and love without stopping. not only had i decided that would be my verse for the year, but when i wrote down the word resolute, i heard a whisper, "that's your word."

resolute...it sounded great. it was my word, but what did it mean?

as i was going about my week, i finally settled down one night after the kids had gone to bed. the next night i was to speak to a life group james and i used to lead so i was studying and prepping for that. once again, i began to look through my notes and saw my word. resolute. i decided to look up the meaning. the description of the word was so powerful that i began to cry. it was as if God looked into my heart and saw all the things i want to become more of and gave me my one word to sum it all up...resolute.

resolute means to be admirably purposeful. determined, unwavering, resolved, single-minded, firm, unswerving, steadfast, staunch, unfaltering, unhesitating, persistent, tenacious, unshakeable, strong-willed, brave, bold, and courageous.

those words are what i've been praying to become.

may i become more purposeful in how i spend my time. persistent in all things that have to do with God. unshakeable. brave in the uncomfortable. single-minded at all times. firm in His word. bold as a lion. courageous to do all He has called me to do.

i'm digging in deeper this year, friends. i'm ready to grow. i'm tired of being mediocre. i want to become resolute. as pastor clyde said, " you don't depend on great women and men of God, but you become one."

grow with me, dear friends. let's become RESOLUTE together.


and if you're looking for a way to grow and be encouraged along the way....

my friend, shanna, and i have started an online book club to help us dig a little deeper. we'd love for other ladies to join us. we are starting with this book, the fringe hours, by jessica n. turner. 

we will begin in february. let me know if you want us to add you to our facebook group. more details to come!