Have you chosen your Word of the Year for 2025 yet? If not, don’t worry—there’s still time to choose one! I first discovered the concept of a Word of the Year in 2018 after hearing a few friends talk about theirs. My friend’s enthusiasm sparked my curiosity and what I found was more than just a trendy idea. A word of the year became a meaningful way to approach each year with purpose.

Do you ever feel like you're just trudging through each day, merely surviving the chaos and challenges that life throws your way? Perhaps you've found yourself wondering if there's more to life than just getting by. If so, you're not alone. Many people long for a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their daily lives. Imagine waking up each morning with a sense of purpose and excitement for the day ahead. Picture yourself navigating life's ups and downs with grace and confidence, knowing that you have the tools to thrive no matter what comes your way. It may seem like a distant dream, but it's closer than you think.

Think about the last time you sat down. Did you have a child in your lap? Maybe you were talking to a friend or texting someone. Were you paying the bills or catching up on email? We can get a lot done when we sit down. In today’s Bible story, we read about what Mary did when she sat down. Read Luke 10:38-42. Jesus had just stopped by for a visit. While her sister Martha was rushing around getting things ready, Mary made a different choice that day. She humbled herself and she opened her heart.

If you haven't chosen a Word of the Year for 2024 yet, no need to worry! There's still time to pick your word. I discovered the Word of the Year concept in 2018 when several friends had chosen one, sparking my curiosity about the hype. I found that having a Word of the Year provides a growth focus for the year. The word is meant to represent a central way you are depending on God in the year to come. It helps you determine who you want to become by the end of the year. When you have a word of the year, it helps you to be intentional about how you spend the hours, days, and months of the year.

The fireplace kept me warm as did our four-year-old dog Bentley who sat on my legs. My journal, my Bible, and a listening ear were what I brought to the living room that day. I held my aqua pen in hand ready to hear from God as I reflected on seven questions. It was eye-opening and encouraging as I looked back through my journal and saw the fingerprints of God. It was fun to see what themes were scattered throughout my year. These are the seven questions I used to reflect on 2023 and my answers to each question.

Have you ever been in over your head? Have you ever felt like life is just too much for you to handle? I am sure we all have been there at some point. It is in these moments that we have a choice. Will we let life overwhelm us or will we turn to God and trust that He has it under control? My desire is to turn to God and trust that He has it under control. I am sure you would much rather go that route as well. But, what does this look like on a day-to-day basis? In our Scripture Verses for today, we learn in order to trust God, we need to remember who we are, who is with us, and to have hope.

“Mommy, we are at the BEACH!!” exclaimed my 5 year old daughter Analiah as she jumped up and down. The wind and ice cold water couldn’t dampen her spirit. Analiah wasn’t even paying attention to the large waves behind her. She grabbed hold of my hands and started to dance around in circles. The pure joy and innocence were contagious. Soon, I found myself not even thinking about the ice cold water. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 In a fast-paced world filled with endless demands and distractions, it is easy to overlook the significance of prayer in our daily lives. However, by reflecting on…

Have you thought about what you’ll be planting this Spring? We’re planning on growing some delicious tomatoes, zucchini, and possibly cucumbers. But, let’s not forget about planting the seeds of God’s Word in our minds. By doing so, we can fight against the ‘weeds’ that try to take over our thoughts.  In Colossians 3:2, we…

Would you consider yourself a person of gratitude? Do you remember to say thank you when someone does something for you? I wish I could say I always remember to say thanks but I struggle with this. In today’s scripture from Luke 17:11-19, we read about ten lepers. They taught me about the importance of gratitude.