Goodbyes said to guests. Linens washed. Christmas decorations taken down and stored. Fridge restocked. Time to organize myself and face the new year.
Set up a new planner. Select journals. Reflect on the previous year and the new one. And choose a word for the year.
It had to be something about needing the Lord for guidance and help in the uncertainty of the year ahead. Dependance? Faith? Trust? Reliance? Clinging? But I wanted one word that would encompass all these concepts. I also wanted the Spirit to lead me.
During some moments of silence in Sunday’s church service, I thought back over the themes I had journaled on during Advent. And there it was!
Shepherd!
I selected a verse that described my Shepherd’s tender care of me:
And one about my role in following him:
And lastly, how he will guide me:
Then I looked for quotes and found this that sums it up so well:
A shepherd leads and loves, pastures and provides, nourishes and nurtures, defends and dies, comforts and cares, heals and helps, guides and guards, tends and tutors.
What is your word for the year?
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus, for being my gentle, good Shepherd. This year, teach me more about listening to your voice and following it. Help me to know the way to walk as the year unfolds.
For my planner, I chose the TUL Discbound Junior from Office Depot.
For my journals, I chose Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing Guided Journal. And One Line A Day: A Five Year Memory Book.
For my reflection, I used Lore Ferguson Wilbert’s New Year Questions.
And for choosing my word of the year, I used Danielle Coke’s A Good Look.
Pondered Treasures 
My word for the year is ‘rest’ 🙂 Thanks be to God.
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I pray that you are able to achieve true soul rest this year.
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Mine is Endure – persevere, hang in. Something like that.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
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That’s a great one too!
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Our word this year is “transition’… both that we are transitioning with a move to mid-Virginia, but also in becoming true ’empty nesters’. We are continuing role reversals in our jobs and my husband is looking at retirement (he’s 68 yrs young). I know we never stop transitioning in life… but this year, we need His guidance and strength more than ever before. Thanks Eva for your guilding and comforting words through Pondered Treasures.
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I’ll be praying for you Dee. You are right, transitions never end but hopefully we learn to navigate them more gracefully with experience and increased faith.
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