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There’s something exciting about hanging that new calendar and beginning to think about the possibilities a new year can hold. I don’t know about you, but I gave up on creating a list of New Year’s resolutions a long time ago. There are a lot of opinions on focusing on one word for the year. For some people, this doesn’t work, but for me, the anticipation of walking through each day and looking for what God wants to teach me about my One Word excites me.
For me, the anticipation of walking through each day and looking for what God wants to teach me about my One Word excites me. #oneword #tellhisstory #focus Click To Tweet
2020 is a year I’m certain many are ready to forget. The pain, the heartache, the drastic change in our sense of normal pushed all of us beyond comfort zones and into unknown, sometimes scary places.
In the midst of that, my 2020 One Word was PRESENT.
I entered the year not sure which version of present God wanted me to focus on. Looking for “presents” in my day, or being “present” in each moment. Turns out, it was the latter definition. Though He did give me many gifts last year.
Lessons Learned About Being Present
The idea of being present in each moment has threaded through my days for a few years now. But when God asked me to focus on learning what it meant to be PRESENT, I had no idea how hard this can be!
When a friend faced a health crisis and our boys had some struggles, I felt overwhelmed. On one particularly difficult day, I just wanted to run away to Australia. But I knew my problems would still be here when I returned. God reminded me that I was asking not to be present. I was looking to have my needs met somewhere other than by Him. God wanted me to trust Him to walk with me through the hard season.
In August, Hubs made an emergency trip to visit his family in Hawaii. As we drove to the airport, I kept thinking through future plans as my husband was contemplating what he might find during his upcoming visit with his family. God finally stopped me with a question: “What is your word, Jeanne?”
“Present.”
And then I got it. As I focused on future plans, I was missing being in the present. It’s easier to focus on future possibilities to avoid the pain in the present moment. God reminded me He’s with us, even in the painful moments. And He gives us what we need to get through them.
My challenge has been choosing to be fully engaged in the present, especially when it’s painful or overwhelming.
Being present in each moment often requires us to trust God to help us through whatever each moment holds.
I am always surprised at the deeper lessons God teaches me with my One Word each year.
The One Words I’ve Focused on Over the Years
2012—Passion
2013—Perspective
2014—Enough
2015—Breathe
2016—Authentic
2017—Intentional
2018—Hope
2019—Live
2020—Present
Even as we step into 2021, I’m pondering the importance of being present. Our oldest graduates from high school this year. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that reality.
My One Word for 2021 is:
My focus verses for the year come from my favorite psalm: 139:
I’m excited to learn what God wants to share about my word. I have a sense He is inviting me to learn how to “live known.” I know that God knows me. But I, like a little child, still have this habit of hiding my ugliness, my imperfections, my insecurities from the One who will never stop loving me. I sense God wants me to trust Him completely with myself, to be vulnerable and discover just how trustworthy He is, just how much He loves me.
I have a sense God is inviting me to learn how to “live known.” I know that God knows me…I sense God wants me to trust Him completely #oneword #tellhisstory #focus Click To Tweet
I’m sure I’ll share posts through the year of what the Lord teaches me about being and living KNOWN.
I hope this year finds each of us walking more closely with our Savior as we step into each new day.
What about you? What do you do to stay grounded for the year? If you are a One Word person, what is your word for the year?
This week, I’m linking up with Grace and Truth, Self Care Hacks, and #Instaencouragements. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
I love how God led you into deeper lessons of being “present” this past year, Jeanne. I’m looking forward to what He teaches you in His invitation to “live known.” So much deeper than knowing He knows us. Thank you for encouraging my heart today with your message and your refreshing-to-my-spirit photos. Love and blessings to you!
Thank you, Trudy. I wasn’t sure exactly how God would use PRESENT in my life, but He definitely did! Thank you for being such a sweet encourager and friend. Sending you love and hugs!
It’s so encouraging to read how God used “present” in your life in 2020, Jeanne. I love your new word and will of course be looking forward to seeing how it guides you this year. And I hope your time in Hawaii was as wonderful as your pictures. Love and hugs to you, my friend!
Lois, I had no idea the things God would show me with PRESENT. and some of it wasn’t easy to hear from Him. But it was definitely necessary. Our time in Hawaii was restful, after the first week of craziness in establishing our groove there. 🙂 I hope you and yours had a relaxing Christmas and New Year.
I am doing a one word focus for the first time this year. Thank you for sharing about yours.
Lauren, I’ll look forward to hearing both your impressions of focusing on one word and what God shows you with it! 🙂
love how you came to your words of the year over the years! I have been doing that for years too. You and I have several similar words! (last year mine was Intentional).This year (2021), my word is now “peace” and my verses (apparently I needed several verses this time LOL) are psalm 34:14, seek peace and pursue it. Also colossians 3:15 and Isaiah 26:3.
Mariel, thank you. 🙂 How fun that we have similar words over the past years. I am so glad a good friend introduced me to the concept of focusing on one word for a year. I grinned when I read of your several verses for the year. 🙂 I usually have one, but I have three verses from Psalm 139 this year. 🙂 You’ve got some great focus verses! May God reveal much to you about peace this year!
I love all the examples you share about how God used “present” with you in 2020. Gives me chills. Looking over your list, we’ve had several words in common over the years. I’ve also chosen Breathe and Hope and Now (similar to Present). This year I’m choosing Uncertainty and I really am uncertain about how God will use it. 🙂 If you get a chance I hope you’ll share this post with our One Word FB group! I look forward to how God will use Known with you in 2021.
Lisa, how fun that we’ve had similar/the same words in the past. I actually prayed about “Now” for this year, but in the end, I felt nudged toward Known. I am certain God has a great purpose in giving you the word He did! I look forward to hearing more about what He reveals to you!
God does plant that need for us to be Known, I believe, so we hunger to be Know Him and how He made us. Nothing else will satisfy, no matter how hard we try or think the physical world can supply our needs fully. A great word for your year, Jeanne! I’m drawn to the word, Journey, presently. Happy New Year!
Lynn, I love your thoughts here. There is another side to being known and, as you shared, it’s to know. I’m adding that to my thoughts to meditate on. 🙂 Journey is a great word. And when I read it, I smiled and nodded and thought how perfect for you. 🙂
I love the annual words that God has given you over the past decade Jeanne!
I have been deeply thinking about that word ‘present’ lately. We miss so much of our lives not being so!
This week I shared, ‘Oh dear, I’m late for a very important date?’
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2021/01/01/time/
That will answer your questions above 😀
New year’s blessings,
Jennifer
Jennifer, thank you. Present was such a powerful word for me last year. If this is the word you land on, I look forward to hearing the things God teaches you. 🙂
I love your word for 2021, Jeanne! I have been thinking lately about how one of the components of love is to feel known. God loves us and He knows us inside and out. I am looking forward to reading your thoughts about your word this year. It’s a good one!
Awww, thanks, Laurie. 🙂 You’re right. I believe love feels more authentic when we know we’re known by the one extending the love. I’ll definitely be sharing more about this word as God reveals more to me. 🙂 Happy New Year!
I have also found having a word for the year surprisingly helpful and it is always interesting to see how God uses these words in each of our lives. My word for 2021 is “faithfulness.” I don’t know if you’ve heard the song “Known” by Tauren Wells but it came to mind when I read your post and it fits well with the verses from Psalm 139 too.
Lesley, you’re so right. I have lost track of the number of times God has surprised me with the ways He used a word in my life. You have a great 2021 word! I look forward to hearing more. And yes, I’ve heard that song by Tauren Wells; it’s kind of amazing. I need to add it to my 2021 playlist. Thanks for that reminder!
Thank you for this encouraging message.
I appreciate your visit, Melissa!
There is no reason in the dark,
no ground beneath my feet,
no lifting song to which I hark,
no smiling friend to meet.
There is no hope for glory, now,
no bright days up ahead,
and the only task is how
not to wind up too soon dead.
So, here, the task is up to me,
the work is mine, alone,
and if pride’s my destiny
I one day will atone,
but today I fight with attitude,
and my This Year’s Word is “Dude!”
Andrew, your honesty and your humor made me smile. “Dude.” I can see soooo many directions that word can go in. I’m praying for you and Barb, my friend.
Jeanne, I like your word, “known.” Your photos are stunning! I don’t know if I have a word for the year, but the word for the week is “rejoice.” Rejoice in the Lord!
Deb, a word for the week is good! I have a friend who, one year, focused on a different word each month. God knows what we need and when we need it, doesn’t He?
Being present is so important. Obviously with God, but also with the people and experiences and seasons in my life. God is so faithful to us in each of these pleaces.
Amen, Rebecca. God showed me so much about being present and how intentional we must be to stay present in each moment. He is always faithful to help us when being present is painful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Jeanne, really liked “present” for last year and now “known.” My ministry mission statement is: “To know Jesus more and make Him known.” So flipping this and focusing on being known by Him adds another layer to this thought!
Karen, your ministry mission statement is powerful! Sometimes, I think it’s easier to know others—even God—than to become vulnerable to be known by others—including God. I sense that’s part of what He’s going to be working in my heart this year.
Seems like I had the wrong idea about the “why” behind choosing a word which is not a practice of mine. I usually wait to see what drops in my spirit and I’ve only done so twice. 2019 was Truth and 2020 was Audacity. I just got goose bumps when I reflect on those years and the appropriateness of those words. Woah!
From reading your post, the one word is connected to scripture and how you want God to speak to you through that word. Restoration dropped in my spirit while reading this. Perhaps I’ll go with it…
Happy New Year, Yvonne! God does have a way of knowing where we need to focus our hearts to prepare us for coming things, doesn’t He? I’ve seen that so many times in my own life, and in the lives of friends.
Restoration is a great word. If that’s where you settle, I’ll look forward to hearing all that the Lord does in and through you as you meditate on it. 🙂
Love that you have kept your one word for each year, I haven’t but I will start now. Love that verse ‘how precious to me’ in the study Bible it says ‘how precious towards me’ – it’s His vast thoughts of us, always with us, ever present. 🙂 So glad we are known – and loved just the same 🙂
Thank you, Paris Renae. I sometimes still go back and remember the words and the lessons God’s woven into my spirit through focusing on a given word. Psalm 139 is probably my most favorite psalm, so it was kind of fitting that God brought me to it, especially since it talks so much about how God knows us. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for this reminder, Jeanne. I have not thought of a word for this year… but might have to focus on it. I love the phrase “being fully known and completely loved” … a deep desire of the human heart. Blessings as you explore “known” this year. Can’t wait to hear about your journey through “known” 🙂
Happy New Year, Heidi! I just sense God wants me to live in the confidence of being known by and loved by Him. I sense it’s going to be challenging, and a time of breaking down some things in me so I can learn how to live known, but we’ll see. 🙂
Welcome back, Jeanne, after a break from all things digital! I’m guessing you had a wonderful time with your guys. Your pictures are captivating as ever, and your words bring me peace laced with a bit of challenge.
After maybe 6 or 7 years, I decided to do a word. I think.
Serendipity.
;-}
Thank you, Linda! It’s nice to be back and beginning to find my routine again. 🙂 We did have a great time away, creating memories and taking lots of time to chill (especially the boys!).
Serendipity sounds like a fun word! I hope if this is the one you meditate on this year, that you’ll share things God is teaching you!
I have had a word in the past, but not for the last two years. I’m still pondering whether or not God has a word for me for this year. Your photos are gorgeous!
Anita, some years I don’t know what my word will be until the first of the year (and on a couple of occasions, even after the new year has begun). Other years, I’ve known in October what the next year’s word would be. God speaks to me differently every year . . . mostly He’s inviting me to seek Him actively to know what He wants me to focus on. Thanks for your kind words about the photos. High praise coming from a friend whose photos I consider gorgeous. 🙂
Jeanne, like you, I have had growth occur in my life through focusing on one word. The lessons learned seemed to have been embraced and remain long after the turn of the calendar into the new year. My word this year is “prevail” and my focus verse is: “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer …” (Romans 12:12, (NASB).
I so appreciate you sharing on “present” and will be thinking on this today: “Being present in each moment often requires us to trust God to help us through whatever each moment holds.” Amen!
Looking forward to all God has for His people in 2021! Blessings!
Joanne, like you, some of my words’ lessons have remained with me long after I said goodbye to that particular year. PREVAIL is such a great word. And I like that verse that goes with it. Thank you for always being such an encourager in this space!
It’s been a while since I had a word choose me, but thus year, I am PERSEVERING, and it feels like the right thing.
Michele, those years when the word has chosen me have been so impacting! PERSEVERING sounds like a great word to meditate on this year!
I am really excited about it!
<3
I have never felt led to choose a word for the year. But I do love to seek what God has to say to me each day through His Word. I love the idea of living known and resting in the grace His knowledge encompasses. Even the best of our earthly loves can’t know and love us as deeply and thoroughly as He does. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Barbara, I love how God’s word speaks to us each day, if we’ll open the book and seek Him in it. And yes to all you said about living known and loved. Happy New Year to you and yours too!