Words have power.

Even just one word can have impact on a person, a situation or a year.  It happened to me one New Year’s Eve about 6 years ago when I decided to choose a word, just one, to keep in my heart and mind for the next year.  I’ve picked a One Word every year since. 

I take my time choosing my One Word.  It seems when the time is right a unique word pops into my mind, and I know that’s the one I’ll need to carry with me for the next 12 months.  And I do.

It’s interesting how the chosen word shows up in my day in a very non-word way.  In 2012, I chose the word, ‘Faithful.’  My husband had passed, I was still living in my bigger house, still trying to make sense of my life when nothing was the same anymore.  I needed a strong word to lean into and that one was just the ticket that particular year.  I discovered how important faithful friends can be.  I realized I could stand alone in life, knowing the steadfast love my husband poured into me was soil that could grow new friendships and friends could become ‘family.’ 

Blessed, was the word I chose for the next year.  I tried to see circumstances and outcomes as a blessing to me.  Even the hard ones, knowing the word I picked to cover my year would give me insight and a place to grow I might have missed otherwise.

2014, my One Word was, Forward.  I had no way of knowing at the time that would be the year I decided rather suddenly, I was the ‘last man standing’ in my big house of 23 years and it was time to move.  All at once I found myself packing up the lives of my deceased son and husband and the belongings of my living out of state daughter to prepare for a move into a new house I had built!  That was moving forward more than I could have imagined!

The next year I was hit with a word that seemed odd at first, Emmanuel, it means, ‘God with us.”  I was beginning to see a theme here, noticing I was being watched over and taken care of in an unseen way.  And I felt it, even as situations and hard decisions marked my way.  This was the year breast cancer was discovered and I underwent my mastectomy.  I knew God was with me, and I knew why that was my ‘word.’ 

Last years’ word was, Miracle. I didn’t know what that word would bring over 2016, but looking back now I see it was a smooth transition into this years’ word, Be Still (I know it’s 2 words..) This year I am going to take notice of the things that need to slow down, and give pause to quiet my mind and heart to hear the life around me.  I’ll keep you posted.

If you’ve never picked just One Word (or 2) give it a try…It will surprise you to see how life has a way of working out even when we don’t know it.

~Janet