I have more a theme for the year - 'new beginnings' ... Isaiah 43: 18-19 struck me plus a few other things as I mulled with the Lord themes, words for the new year.
"Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I'll make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
And so I've changed up some of my routines, to allow for 'new things' .. I've ditched Insta and Twitter, still on FB so I can stay in touch with friends like yourself, Sara, and have made some good progress writing in the 3 weeks we've had. I'm excited for what is ahead ... even though not sure what it may entail.
I've never done a word-for-the-year, but I absolutely may borrow this perspective - such a gently hard nudge for me to consider whose voice has been the loudest in the narration of my life lately. I would much rather hear His thoughts than mine again <3
I like your word. I have found myself praying that verse in Psalm 23 spontaneously many times, as I have worried about who I am becoming, and longed for Him to still cause everything to thread together so He gets what He wanted in me. And I enjoy that practice, too... I started back in 2014 or so when a leader of mine first shared about theirs, though it's not hard and fast for 1 year, sometimes bleeding into the next :). Just feels like a way to pay attention to the themes in my life. The word "Adventure" keeps presenting itself to me, but the sense of it echoes for me your "re-story"... for instance, Frodo's statement about the twists in his life come to mind: "I spent all my life pretending I was off somewhere else. Off with you, on one of your adventures. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different." Life is not what I thought it would be, but to discover Jesus with me, gentle towards me in it all and inviting me on a heart journey, can rewrite the narrative if I lean into His perspective. That's what I hope to do.
Also this spoken word lyric from the song "Cageless Birds" by Jonathan and Melissa Helser: "Adventure in theory is,
Is full of excitement
And bleeds with passion for life
Adventure in reality is full
Of breathless moments, silent nights,
And wounds that leave
Scars of memory on a heart."
I just re-read Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, end of last year and beginning of this. It's giving me a sweet frame of reference to consider your questions (from the Slower Still email) and James (that scripture just came up for me last week), in the way she learns "Acceptance-with-Joy" as a key on her path to the Kingdom of Love.
Love this, Sara! I have encountered the word freedom, probably 20–30 times so far in 2024. The first few times, I’ve began to wonder if that was my theme, and now I know it is. I have some ideas how it might show up. Freedom from fear. Freedom from needing others approval. Giving my kids a little more freedom sometimes. And there are plenty of ways I know the Lord will probably surprise me too.
I've never been able to remember and stick to a word of the year. I've definitely tried, as I love the idea. Love your word that you chose. Very inspiring! 🤍
I've never been one that chooses a word for the "year." Reminds me of a new year's resolution. Just can't get into it. But good article. I too have been focusing on Psalm 23 lately.
He RESTORES my souls. Yea tho I walk in the valley….He definitely is about restoration. I think you have to purpose to find it. You must seek restoration and place yourself in it. Even in the middle of a dark valley. Good, thoughtful words. Thank you.
I love this so much! Removing the painful expectations off ourselves to “make” a change, that in reality only God can change! If we have the grace to see our own story by His perspective, maybe by that same grace we can see others stories by His perspective too!
Oh Sarah! I love this 💖 My dear friend just sent me this post when I told her what my husband and I had decided to name our nonprofit that provides resources and experiences to help people live out God’s good, beautiful, and true story of marriage…ReStoried. It is work that was birthed from our own hard story of addiction and betrayal that has miraculously not been DEstroyed but REStoried by God. I told her that for me it combines the blood sweat and tears work of restoration with the goodness, beauty, and truth of a greater story. And through it all we hope to weave the glittering threads of community, creativity, and contemplative practices. We were first inspired by part of Pete Gregg’s sabbath blessing (which our family recites each week to begin sabbath) - “May God’s image in us be restored and our imagination in God be re-storied.” I will happily follow along as this word continues to unfold for both of us this year! Thank you for your inspiring words!
Restore, restored ... I like it, Sara.
I have more a theme for the year - 'new beginnings' ... Isaiah 43: 18-19 struck me plus a few other things as I mulled with the Lord themes, words for the new year.
"Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I'll make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
And so I've changed up some of my routines, to allow for 'new things' .. I've ditched Insta and Twitter, still on FB so I can stay in touch with friends like yourself, Sara, and have made some good progress writing in the 3 weeks we've had. I'm excited for what is ahead ... even though not sure what it may entail.
Go well, Sara, Nate and the H7 x
This is reminding me to sit in this verse: second time in two days it’s come across my desk
I've never done a word-for-the-year, but I absolutely may borrow this perspective - such a gently hard nudge for me to consider whose voice has been the loudest in the narration of my life lately. I would much rather hear His thoughts than mine again <3
I haven’t selected a word in past years yet did choose a verse for 1st time in 2024 🤗
”For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.“
Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Beautiful verse for the year ❤️
I like your word. I have found myself praying that verse in Psalm 23 spontaneously many times, as I have worried about who I am becoming, and longed for Him to still cause everything to thread together so He gets what He wanted in me. And I enjoy that practice, too... I started back in 2014 or so when a leader of mine first shared about theirs, though it's not hard and fast for 1 year, sometimes bleeding into the next :). Just feels like a way to pay attention to the themes in my life. The word "Adventure" keeps presenting itself to me, but the sense of it echoes for me your "re-story"... for instance, Frodo's statement about the twists in his life come to mind: "I spent all my life pretending I was off somewhere else. Off with you, on one of your adventures. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different." Life is not what I thought it would be, but to discover Jesus with me, gentle towards me in it all and inviting me on a heart journey, can rewrite the narrative if I lean into His perspective. That's what I hope to do.
Also this spoken word lyric from the song "Cageless Birds" by Jonathan and Melissa Helser: "Adventure in theory is,
Is full of excitement
And bleeds with passion for life
Adventure in reality is full
Of breathless moments, silent nights,
And wounds that leave
Scars of memory on a heart."
I just re-read Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, end of last year and beginning of this. It's giving me a sweet frame of reference to consider your questions (from the Slower Still email) and James (that scripture just came up for me last week), in the way she learns "Acceptance-with-Joy" as a key on her path to the Kingdom of Love.
Oh my … so many beautiful nuggets in here Rachel! Frodo’s statement, those lyrics, hinds feet … ❤️
“But he enjoys me”, that makes my heart swoon!
Mine too ❤️
Love this, Sara! I have encountered the word freedom, probably 20–30 times so far in 2024. The first few times, I’ve began to wonder if that was my theme, and now I know it is. I have some ideas how it might show up. Freedom from fear. Freedom from needing others approval. Giving my kids a little more freedom sometimes. And there are plenty of ways I know the Lord will probably surprise me too.
I've never been able to remember and stick to a word of the year. I've definitely tried, as I love the idea. Love your word that you chose. Very inspiring! 🤍
I've never been one that chooses a word for the "year." Reminds me of a new year's resolution. Just can't get into it. But good article. I too have been focusing on Psalm 23 lately.
He RESTORES my souls. Yea tho I walk in the valley….He definitely is about restoration. I think you have to purpose to find it. You must seek restoration and place yourself in it. Even in the middle of a dark valley. Good, thoughtful words. Thank you.
Wow! So good to read this! Have new-old-new year to you!
I love this so much! Removing the painful expectations off ourselves to “make” a change, that in reality only God can change! If we have the grace to see our own story by His perspective, maybe by that same grace we can see others stories by His perspective too!
Thank you Sara! 🙏🏻
Oh Sarah! I love this 💖 My dear friend just sent me this post when I told her what my husband and I had decided to name our nonprofit that provides resources and experiences to help people live out God’s good, beautiful, and true story of marriage…ReStoried. It is work that was birthed from our own hard story of addiction and betrayal that has miraculously not been DEstroyed but REStoried by God. I told her that for me it combines the blood sweat and tears work of restoration with the goodness, beauty, and truth of a greater story. And through it all we hope to weave the glittering threads of community, creativity, and contemplative practices. We were first inspired by part of Pete Gregg’s sabbath blessing (which our family recites each week to begin sabbath) - “May God’s image in us be restored and our imagination in God be re-storied.” I will happily follow along as this word continues to unfold for both of us this year! Thank you for your inspiring words!