It seems like everyone has a “word” now when a new year begins. A word that reflects how they feel about what they want to accomplish, or how they want to respond to the world, or how they want to change themselves, etc. I’ve never actually come up with a word for myself to define my year. This year, I thought maybe I would. But no word ever made itself predominant in my mind.
New Years Day to me has always just been another day, like all the ones before it (except for the fact that it becomes more apparent every year how fleeting time is). But this new year, if I’m honest, I felt hopeful for a year that would bring some good changes. Our family has faced some trying times this past year. Now, before any rumors get started (ha!) – the trying times have not been with our marriage. I may at some point, go into more details, but for now, I’m choosing to just say it was a rough year for several reasons.
After feeling the anticipation of a fresh year full of hope, I did get some discouraging news a couple of weeks ago, and all of that hope I’d felt said goodbye. Why is it we lose hope so easily? I went to bed with a heavy heart, but you know what? I woke up with a song on my mind (literally before I opened my eyes) and the lyrics hit me.”You are working all things for my good……when I cannot see it, God I still believe it….” Isn’t it crazy how God speaks to us even when we haven’t necessarily asked Him to at that particular moment? I suddenly felt hope return.
Photo by Tomáš Malík on Unsplash
HOPE
Hope has several definitions, but the one that applies here is the following (Merriam-Webster.com):
I will have hope because I choose to rely on God. I will have hope because I have an expectation and belief that He will fulfill His promises and He is “working all things for my good….” Even when I cannot see it, I know He’s working. Even when I cannot see it, I will believe it. He has spoken in our lives, so I will not; I cannot lose hope. Now, this is not to say doubt or discouragement will never creep in. Let’s face it: life is life. But I always return to hope.
Trust the process, friends, and don’t give up hope. Do you have a word for the New Year? Share it with me in the comments!
Till the next time,
Kassie
This is one of the first years I didn’t choose a word! Or a word didn’t choose me. 🙂 But I love the word hope. Nothing like it and HOPE has pulled me through grief time and again.
Hope is a beautiful thing! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment! ❤️