I see many people picking a focus word for the year. I absolutely love the idea. Others pick a scripture to focus on. This is wonderful too. Reflection, goal setting, focus and all great things. 
2 years ago I attended a Christian women’s conference: IF Gathering. We studied together, prayed together, worshiped together and broke bread together. 

Then, we took time to reflect on this question: If God is real, how should we respond? Mine thought was one word: breathe. Of course, I can actually breathe just fine, but I never really stopped to breathe. 

Breathe: to pause, to take rest, (verb: when used without object) synonym: live.

In that season of my life, I was too busy, overwhelmed, and longing for everything to just be easier. When you can’t breathe, you can’t focus on anything else but your own situation. 

So, I decided I needed to breathe. 

Just breathe. 

To Be still and know that He is God.

So, this new year I bought this new necklace with my old word for two reasons: 

First off, as a monument of how far I have come. The person I was several years ago compared to who I am now. A person who has started breathing again. 

Second, as a reminder to continue to breathe. To not be troubled. To not let myself get worked up and stressed out. To find joy. And let God be God. 
Seems easy right? Why need a reminder? Well, it’s easy when you are at peace. But when you are fighting your daily battles, it’s even easier to forget. 

I don’t know what 2017 holds, but I’m choosing JOY. I don’t just want things to be perfect and always go my way. (Of course, if they do, I’ll be totally okay with it) I’m planning for the tough moments.

•  To remember to breathe even when screaming would be my first reaction. 
• To just breathe, rather than instantly freak out. 
• To breathe and rest, when accomplishing a check on my to-do-list would be more fulfilling. 
• To breathe and listen to God, instead of listening to the noise of this world. 

Because when you run a race, you need a moment to catch your breath. And I’m in this race for the long haul. 

This year, I’ll remember to breathe, to pause, to take rest, and to live.

 

What word or scripture stands out to you when thinking of this new year? 

This happens every summer. Or at least every summer in the past few years. It hits me, all at once, that my summer wasn’t very productive. I try, grasping at straws, to finish projects and do something noteworthy. 

What will I tell my coworkers I did all summer? No real vacation. Only a few date nights/overnight trips. Mostly laundry, dishes, meal prep, and cleaning. No huge accomplishments. No trips to Africa. No volunteer work, well besides local churchy stuff. No huge childhood milestones. Only doctors visits, vaccinations, dentist appointments, lazy mornings, sensory play, babysitting for family, book reading, morning snuggles, attempts at potty training and similar adventures. And my personal to-do list, well, I barely put a dent in it. 

Then I thought to myself, what am I trying to accomplish? What is my real purpose? What makes the biggest impact? 

When you ask “What did I do this summer?” I will respond, “I loved my family. I’ll hold onto memories of sweet smiles and morning snuggles. I worked on having well rested soul and a well loved child.” That’s what I did. 

Good bye, summer. Productivity is overrated.   

On a similar note, this line of thinking makes me want to read this book: Present over Perfect.