My Word for 2022

Here we are flying toward the end of January already and I haven’t shared this post. In less than three weeks I’ve had eye surgery, a new grandson born, and my husband and I are both getting over Covid. Welcome to 2022. It’s all good though, just a little delayed in celebrating Levi’s birth in person. And if there’s ever a good time for my word, I’d say it’s now. 

In years past I’ve chosen a word for the year; a word to motivate, encourage, and teach me something needed or desired. As the new year has made its way into the world, and I’ve had time to ponder after the busyness of the holidays, the word “prayer” has appeared over and over. It doesn’t take rocket science to know this is my word. I could choose this word every year and never go wrong. 

Prayer is one of those topics we shy away from. How to pray, when to pray, are we doing it right, do our prayers really get heard by the Almighty? The call to pray is clear and scattered throughout the Bible. So why don’t we pray, or why do we make it so hard?

 

Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way, but I don’t think so. I consider myself a person who prays, a prayer warrior, most of the time. However, I often feel inadequate. Am I missing something big, do I remember to pray for all the requests I agree to pray about? 

 

I want to deepen my prayer life in 2022. I want to be more consistent in sharing with God before I share with my family or friends. I want to learn to hear His still, small voice in the chaos of life, as well as in the planned, quiet moments of the early morning hours when it’s just me and the God who loves me best. I want to discern His voice above all others. And prayer is the avenue for that growth.

 

I look forward to this year of prayer and all the ways I hope to grow in the next 344 days. I’ll keep you posted. 

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

2022, We're Ready For You

 Here we are, 2022; and there you are, waiting for us with your blank pages: A new year to love and serve those in our sphere of influence, a new year to dream and create, a new year to grow into the people God intended us to be.

I get excited for a new year. Maybe I’m nerdy, but I love cracking open a new planner, making lists, and beginning fresh again. We all need a reset sometimes, so why not on January 1^st?

 

There are plenty of words out there about reflecting on the past year—what worked, and what didn’t, how to simplify, how to organize, how to be more productive, or how to best use our time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about asking the personal questions of myself. I want to make the most of every day. 

 

There’s something poignant about the passing of time, the realization that it doesn’t stand still, and the days are fleeting. Now that I have grandchildren, I feel this even more keenly. I want to be here for them, experience their growing up years, and pour all my love into them.

 

This passage in a book I’m reading titled The Women of the Bible Speak, expresses how I feel about my purpose and the reason I set particular goals:

 

“We sometimes think the size of our audience is in direct proportion to the impact we can have, but Mary (Jesus’ mother) didn’t run to the town square. She started within her own family circle, and that’s often our most important congregation, the people we love, those closest to us, because they get an up-close look at our faith and how we choose to live it in the most practical ways.”

My greatest blessings of 2021

 

Some version of these words has been uttered millions of times, and yet, their importance isn’t diminished. Some people have grand visions of affecting the masses, grasping fame and fortune, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, if you’re someone like me, who has the desire to live simply, love deeply, and serve your people, then do it. Own your calling and live it out with grace and joy. 

 

It’s taken me a lifetime to recognize the beauty of serving a small circle of people. My time is just as important as the next person’s, and I value planning in such a way that I can do “all the things,” and do them well. So yes, I will reflect on the past year, make lists of what I’d like to accomplish this year, and focus on the best way to get there. I’ll dream big of writing more, spending more time with friends and family, and hopefully, traveling more.

 

So 2022, I’m excited about all the possibilities and opportunities you will bring. Give me grace, Lord, to adjust to the happenings of the year as they unfold. Help me share from the bounty of life that I’ve survived and flourished in, though it hasn’t been easy. Give me a heart of love for all those that cross my path, especially my circle of family, and may you be glorified in all of it.

Baby Levi coming January 2022!