Monday, January 1, 2018

Word of the Year

For the past few years I've chosen a word, and a Bible verse it's in, to focus on for the year.

In 2015 I contemplated Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

My 2016 word was Wholesome, with the Bible verse being "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV 

My 2017 word was Less, with the Bible verse being "He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30 NIV 

Last year I asked my husband and children to also choose words for the year. I posted them on a large bulletin board in our kitchen and throughout the year I'd ask the kids how they thought they were doing on their words (words like "obey" and "listen" were there). Tonight we each talked about the word we had chosen and how we felt we had done with it. 

I began 2017 working full-time as a senior librarian, commuting 1.5 to 2 hours round trip drive most days. My location was chronically understaffed, with people coming into temporary positions and then leaving for better opportunities. A co-worker had a miscarriage, a co-worker retired, I got a new boss. Our union members celebrated a year since our strike last summer, and I continued in my role as vice president for almost 400 members. I volunteered in my kids' SK and Grade 2 classes on my days off, worked every other Saturday, and was conscripted to work one in every six Sundays. On Sundays I didn't work we hosted or were hosted by friends for lunch, and I taught the Grade 1 Sunday School class once a month. Physically I continued to gain weight, another 8 pounds since my physical the previous year. 

I ended 2017 as a stay-at-home-mom, my career on hold for the next two years so I can focus on my family. My commute is a 1 hour round trip walk (15 minutes to school and 15 back, twice a day) Monday-Friday. I'm training my "staff" (kids) to do their jobs well and with a good attitude. I'm not volunteering in any of my kids' classrooms, but I am helping with homework, attending meetings with their teachers, and advocating on their behalf. I remain involved in union activities, continue to teach Sunday School once a month, and of course meals with friends are a keeper! I'm on my way to a healthier me, having reacquainted myself with my treadmill.

2017 turned out to be a year of "less" in a different way than I expected!

This year my word is "grace," and my verse is:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)


I am full of weakness so I am looking forward to seeing God's power and grace in my life in 2018!

What about you? Do you choose a word or theme to focus on for the year? What is your word for 2018?