Last week I invited you to share the word you chose to inspire your new year. Here's what some of you sent me. Enjoy!
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My word for the year is enough. This word represents two different thoughts for me, both of which (I hope) will allow me to access strength and peace this year. First, enough reminds me to stop whatever it is that I am doing excessively—worrying, overeating, being critical of and shaming myself, complaining about (you name it). Second, enough reminds me to focus on abundance; there is enough—love, compassion, friendship, intimacy, time... So that is my word for 2022. Enough.
Deborah, Hudson, Wisconsin
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My word for the year is discovery. It was chosen for me in November as I looked back on the year and marveled at how God had fulfilled conquest (my 2021 word) in my life in so many ways. He gave me discovery then so that I could see and understand the way He planned to shape my new year. This isn’t a word I would pick out myself (same goes for 2021 conquest), it sounds too much like I’m a voyager exploring new land and planting flags on hills. But God knows that I love to learn, so discovery makes me excited even if it sounds a little cheesy.
Marc, Wooster, Ohio
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For 2022, I choose GRACE. It’s a 5-letter word that holds so much hope. Ephesians 1:7-8 sums it all up- “In Him we have redemption of his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his GRACE which he LAVISHED upon us.” In 2022, I will give more grace, abound more in His grace, and share His grace.
Christine, Cypress, California
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Rejoice!
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.”
Even in the midst of my trials and disappointment, God has kept me and given me peace. For this I am thankful and joyful.
Armanda, Saint Paul, Minnesota
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My word of the year is intentional. I so often respond to the things of life without giving it the thought it deserves. Intentionally stopping what I am doing and praying for God's understanding of the situation would do wonders for me and how I react to things. Intentionally evaluating my feelings and reactions to things would help me understand God's will for my life. I have a long way to go, but this is a start.
Barb, Thief River Falls, Minnesota
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My word of the year is vessel. I chose this word because it kept popping into my head since summer of 2021, and it kept showing up everywhere else too.
Garrett, Marksville, Louisiana
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Mulling over the words I considered candidates for my 2022 word of the year, I passed over so many relevant, encouraging words. But I kept racking my brain for the one that best conveyed what my heart and mind wanted to cling to. My pondering sent me back to a verse I remembered reading in Scripture from one of the parables Jesus told (Luke 19). In that verse, I found my word: occupy. In other Bible versions, the single word is replaced by a phrase: “Engage in business until I come” (ESV); “Do business till I come” (NKJV).
To me, all these meanings convey the idea that the servants in the parable were expected to conduct the master’s business on his behalf, using all the resources he was leaving with them. There! That explained it! When I tried to explain my thinking about this word while visiting with friends, one of them said it was another way of saying “Keep on keeping on!”
Being retired, having a few physical challenges, and living alone threaten to be roadblocks in my journey, but I have chosen to accept those hindrances and reach beyond them by teaching and serving in every way I can, humbly and gratefully using the abilities and talents the Master has given me.
Avis, Newfolden, Minnesota
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