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One of my favorite parts of thinking and praying through the new year is picking a word of the year (WOTY). I don’t take it too seriously and it’s definitely not about manifesting something crazy. It’s simply something I want to keep in mind or grow in the new year.
In the past, I’ve seen how my words, Presence, Rebuild, Make Room, Healthy, Led (Not Driven), Abundant, Small have played a part in my years. They’ve motivated me into seasons God was calling me to and I’ve also been surprised when I eventually learned what God had in mind when He put that word on my heart.
This year, I tossed around a few ideas for words that, as I heard them, felt like they could make sense:
Settled – I mentioned everything being so transient last year, so this felt appropriate.
Strong – Fun fact: Valerie means “strong” and I haven’t really ever felt strong. Definitely a name God is calling me up and into.
Consecrate – As I was reading the Old Testament, this word stuck out. What would it look like to reflect daily on how to consecrate my life to Him?
Pivot – We’re feeling like it’s time for an exciting pivot for VMP.
Follow Through – I feel like I’ve got a lot of facts floating in my head that I simply need to follow through on.
Recess – A break. 🙂 Fun break. The last 3 months, doing two jobs while we hire a Shop Manager has been a lot.
Yoke – How different would my stress be if I remembered how I’m in yoke with God?
Breezy – Similar to the one I actually did pick, I do want to go through life a little lighter and less rigid.
I feel nerdy just typing the depths of how nerdy I get with this, but I’m a writer who loves words. 😜
Where I landed though was DELIGHT (IN THE PROCESS). As I looked over my goals and surveyed where we are and what lies ahead already for this year, this stuck out to me.
Whatever I do next year, I want to delight in the process. I love getting things done to the point that I stress myself out trying to get to the finish line. I think it’s been the cause of much of my stress-related health issues. And though I really have learned how to slow down a bit (Led, Not Driven changed my life. Book comes out in a few weeks!!), I still haven’t fully learned how to slow down and totally delight in the process.
Even in the last few weeks since picking DELIGHT, I have noticed myself enjoying little things with more joy and whimsy. I’ve noticed myself simply accepting the process instead of fighting for it to be wrapped up as swiftly as possible.
And you know what else? I have realized how prayer is a big part of delighting in the process. As I was switching the clothes from the washer to the dryer right before bed (which is when it feels like the biggest nuisance) I started praising God as I remembered my newfound word. The perfect way to delight is to praise God for the middle moments and to ask Him for continued contentment and patience in the wait. Just think about it: What if we delighted in the process of an answered prayer that is yet to fully be realized?
This picture? That’s a reminder of when Tyler and I were engaged and we went with his family to Branson. We went to a waterpark, something I hadn’t done in years. As I went down a big water slide, I laughed and felt like the biggest kid!! It was pure delight. I honestly think my life presents more opportunities for delight than I realize, but I’m usually focused too much on the destination to actually enjoy them! So, here’s to more moments laughing through tunnels instead of waiting for a big splash!
As I share my goals for 2023 tomorrow, I’ll share how I plan to DELIGHT (IN THE PROCESS) as I work on them through the year. It was one of the best parts of planning 2023 because it didn’t make me feel like I needed to wait to finish them to relax or enjoy the life God has given me.
Why is it important to DELIGHT (IN THE PROCESS)? Because God has me here for a purpose and I refuse to continue to scrape my way to a finish line before it’s time. Instead, I will delight, knowing that I trust the Lord fully. And that’s somewhat scary to type because I don’t know what this year holds, but I know for a fact I will make it more difficult and stressful if I forget this priceless lesson. I also know that this could be a “great year” on paper and I could still muck it up with fear and dread until I feel safe enough to celebrate.
Here are some verses I’m tucking away as I learn to DELIGHT (IN THE PROCESS).
- Psalm 119:35 – Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
- Psalm 40:8 – I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
- 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
- Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) – Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
The coolest thing was, I started a new study this morning, and the very first day was titled, in big letters, “DELIGHT in GOD”! Such a sweet reminder!
If you’re curious about how to pick a word of the year, check out this old post with a few tips!
COMING UP NEXT: My 2023 Goals
MISSED THESE?:
2022 Life Changers
What I read in 2022
2022 Goals Recap
2022 Answered Prayers
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