Have you chosen your word for the year yet? I have!
It took some time to commit to this word, as it seemed a bit boring at first, but I just couldn’t get away from the word, and then I found the above perfect verse, Isaiah 43:19, and now I love it.
My one word for the year is ‘NEW.’
There are so many reasons why I chose the word ‘new’, and so many ways it is already changing me.
After participating in the #oneword challenge last year, I am not surprised at all. Last year I chose the word ‘calm.’ It really was the perfect word, and I thought about it all throughout the year. It is amazing how powerful claiming a word can be.
I felt myself grow immensely in the area of calmness, and that is saying a lot, as I tend to be a bit frantic in my thoughts and actions. My default is many “what ifs?” My personality is one that likes things to be in order and expected, and when life brings the unexpected, I tense up.
As you all know, life has brought lots of unexpected the last few years for me and my health, and the end of this past year was no exception as I had 4 surgeries in 3 months, pleurisy & 2 infections brought on by a sensitivity to the materials used for reconstruction. This ‘forced slow’ of sickness & healing solidified the calm God had been teaching me throughout the year. He is very faithful and has shown me that He is trustworthy and reliable in the midst of unknown and scary. He is the perfect place to just lean into and just ‘be’ when life gets scary. I loved my ‘one word’ last year.
Back to my one word for this year.
New.
Just the sound of that word brings an excitement and anticipation, but for me, it means change. It means trying something different, especially in my reactions to things and in my thought processes.
I used to watch Dr. Phil quite often, and one of the phrases he used all the time was “How’s that workin’ for ya?” I can just hear him saying it in his southern drawl. This is a question I have been asking myself a lot lately with my NEW word.
What are things I am in the habit of doing that are not “working” for me?
What can I do that is different and NEW? How can I respond differently and change?
1. Marriage
I’ve noticed a few areas of my marriage that needed this question asked. I refuse to get comfortable and stop growing in our marriage. I don’t just want a good marriage. I want a thriving marriage that is ALL that God intended it to be. I have already found myself responding differently than I have in years and delighting in the change that has been brought about because of that.
What was not working for me?
Responding in a sensitive, defensive manner.
I would get defensive. He would get defensive. We could go round and round. Why do I continue to do the same thing if it does not work for me? Or for our marriage?
I’ve been experimenting with responding differently, and OH what peace it is bringing to my heart and to our communication. Who knew that my stubborn defensiveness would result in unresolved issues.
Well…duh, right? Honestly, when I am more concerned about being right, or my own thoughts and emotions, or just wanting to be understood, then I am thinking of myself way more than my Todd and that is NOT the wife I want to be. That is not loving.
When I put the defenses and emotions away and put his feeling before my own, beautiful things happen. Walls come down. Words are exchanged that are profitable and good. I get heard, he gets heard. Love happens.
2. Parenting
Another area where I am challenged to respond differently is parenting. Specifically, parenting teens.
I don’t write about parenting challenges as much anymore as my girls are teens and I want to respect their privacy, but lack of words about it all on this blog does not mean there is lack of challenge. As proud as I am of our girls, parenting is HARD my friends, and takes a whole lot of faith and trust in God and prayer!
My NEW way of responding differently in parenting, again, has to do with emotions. Can you tell God created me a very emotional being? I FEEL everything! A blessing and a curse!
What was not working for me in parenting my teens was responding out of emotion and hurt feelings. Parenting requires a toughness, an ability to feel intense emotion without responding out of that emotion. That takes a lot of self control and a whole lot of self talk for me.
My NEW way of thinking? My new self talk?
“I am the adult. They are the child. I need to act and respond like an adult. They are still learning how to respond appropriately. It is my job to teach them. The best teaching is showing them by doing it myself.”
“I cannot control my children. They will make their own decisions, and I have a good and faithful God who IS in control and promises to work all things out for good.
3. A Slow Life
Another big way I see this word being used is in my thinking about life. I now embrace what I call the slow life. It is a purposeful way of living, a deliberate thinking of how I want to spend my time and energy on this earth. Life is so very precious and short. As I do this, I can SEE and experience all that God is doing. I am so excited to claim the promise of the verse above, how God is going to do NEW things, and make a path of refreshment through the wilderness. I am going to watch for how He is doing this, as He is already doing it!
4. Health
The last way I am embracing this word is when it comes to this NEW body of mine. After 3 years of constant issues with reconstruction and many surgeries, I think we are done! I am so very thankful to be able to say this and so very thankful for great results. I find myself very motivated to take care of this body of mine. I do quite well when it comes to what I eat, but I am eager to start taking better care of it when it comes to physical activity. I am finally healed enough to at least start walking and some gently yoga.
Do you love how this precious necklace looks on this NEW body of mine? I adore these One Word Personalized Vintage Dictionary Necklaces from Krafty Kash and am starting to have quite the collection of them, each one of them dearly loved and meaningful. Did you notice in my One Word Necklace above, the definition has the word ‘health’ in it? I was delighted to see that! So fitting!!
What is your one word for the year? Have you thought about it yet?
Challenge yourself and your friends to choose a word. Then surprise your friends with an awesome, personalized word pendant gift from Krafty Kash! You could also get your children one with words describing their personalities or a word you want to claim for them.
Now is the perfect time to get your #oneword necklace, as she is having a great sale! The #oneword pendant necklaces are on sale for $18.00 and if you use the coupon code ‘oneword’ at checkout you will get FREE SHIPPING!
AMAZING deal. Let me know what your word is and if you ordered a necklace!
Blessings to you all in this 2014 year! I am expecting and anticipating many NEW and excititng things!
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May 12, 2014 at 1:45 am[…] My word of the year is New. […]
Jeanine
January 11, 2014 at 1:36 amYou look absolutely gorgeous! Love your hair and your necklace and especially your word!
Jeanine
January 11, 2014 at 1:35 amYou look absolutely gorgeous! Love the hair and the necklace and especially the word!
True Agape
January 10, 2014 at 10:25 pmIt sounds like the word new is going to be a great one for you!! 🙂
youngprekteacher
January 10, 2014 at 12:11 pmThank you for sharing your word and the source for your beautiful necklace. I am going to order one that says begin and I am looking for bible verses with that word as well. I really enjoy reading your blog.
Michelle DeRusha
January 9, 2014 at 5:48 pmYou look SOOOOOO good, Amy. I am so glad your recovery is finally proceeding as it should. And I love your word and that verse – one of my all-time favorites. Wishing you a year of beautiful newness, lovely friend!
Linda@Creekside
January 9, 2014 at 8:33 pmLove that you’re wearing your word, Amy!
I wasn’t going to do the whole one word thing again this year … but then I saw this video … and I had no choice.
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-year-of-beautiful.html
Beautiful. That’s my word.
Melanie Dorsey
January 9, 2014 at 5:47 pmI enjoyed reading your post. I’m so glad to be able to meet you in March at RMH.
I want to order a one word pendant for a friend. I clicked over but don’t see how to specify the word I’d like. I’ll check it out again, however, wanted to let you know I’m ordering.
Caryn Christensen
January 9, 2014 at 5:32 pmLOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new word and God’s Word for you!