One Word Resolution

New Years Resolutions aren't really my thing. I am, however, a big fan of small goals throughout the year. I like focus. I like having something to work towards. I like the accomplished feeling when one of those goals are met. 

I have a running list of goals at any given time. 

We recently spent some time at a couples retreat. We were asked to pair off with our spouse and write out 6 goals for 6 different categories. I am not the best at math, but that is 36 goals, y'all!

I rattled off about 20 goals in about 5 minutes as Caleb struggled to come up with one for each category. So, I don't really need the new year to make me sit down and come up with a resolution. 

However, I am loving the idea of the One Word Resolutions. I mean one word that will carry you through 2014 and inspire you throughout. Count me in. 

I have had the hardest time nailing down ONE word for the entire year, though. 

Immediately at least 100 words scroll through my mind. 

Bold, obedient, faithful, servant, share, prayer, prioritize, search, see, go, goodness, kind, love, follow, humility, hope, desire, present, intentional, submit 

I have so many areas in my life that need improvement, that I have trouble narrowing down one area I need to focus on this year. 

But if I am completely honest, God has been whispering one word to me over and over for a while now. Not literally whispering, but turning my attention to one word repeatedly. My friend alludes to it when she persuades me to write. A sweet lady at church speaks it when she gently encourages me to teach more classes. My husband begs for me to hear it when he says everything will be fine. My children yearn for it when they see the doubt in my eyes. The scriptures scream it at me when I study them. 

The word floats around in my mind constantly as I struggle to stuff it into a deep corner and forget it. 

So my word for 2014 is TRUST.  

Trust that God is who He says He is. 

Trust that God will do what He says He will do.

Trust in my marriage.

Trust in God to take hold of my fears and alleviate them as submit myself to complete obedience.

Trust that I am worthy.

Trust God will provide. 

Trust that God can use me.

Trust when my baby boy walks into his kindergarten classroom alone, that he isn't really alone.

Trust as I enter the land of the 30's. 

TRUST.

Throughout this year, I may face ridicule. I may face struggles. I may face heartbreak. I may be disappointed. It may be our best year yet.

2014 may fail me.  I am choosing to trust with my whole heart, despite my independent spirit, no matter what comes, that God will not. 

Welcome.

Welcome to my new space.

I hope to use this space to write and hopefully share my thoughts and ideas in a way that uplifts and encourages and maybe even makes you laugh. You see, I have a lot of thoughts and ideas. I have a lot of opinions. My brain NEVER stops. This is why I watch shows like the Bachelor, it requires no thinking of any kind. It is completely mindless. Sometimes I need something mindless.

BUT I am a nothing spectacular. Our life is fairly uneventful. Our home is small. Our street quiet.  I am not a theologian. I only speak one language. I am young. I have only lived in one state and 3 cities. I have traveled, but not excessively. I haven't started a non profit organization or saved the world. I don't have all the answers. I am learning, growing, and changing. I hope I always am.

  I am nothing spectacular.

 I am a sinner struggling to overcome a multitude of sins every day that stand in the way of reaching the full potential God has for me.

Fortunately for me (and you), my God is spectacular and he chose me (and you). He is fully capable of using an ordinary wife and mommy for his glory. He is fully capable of turning nothing into something.  He is able to transform my nothing into something spectacular.

God is capable.

My hope is that the words in this space point you to God. I pray that God can use this space to be his voice.  I will try to get out of the way.

As we jump into 2014 full force, I pray that God can open our eyes and hearts while we embark on this journey together.

Thank you for joining me.