In my little world, a new year calls for a new word.
Over the years, I’ve claimed the words Tomorrow, Build, Voice, Simplify, God’s Word, Strength, Nurture, and more. My words serve as a focus and a theme for my years and every year they are a blessing.
Taking the time to be intentional with a plan for the year is so helpful to me. It keeps me thinking about what it is I truly desire of myself and of my life. It keeps me acting instead of reacting. Regularly taking inventory of how I am doing and what I need, in regards to my annual hopes, is also key.
Some years, I feel like I choose a word to be my theme and focus, and other years, it feels like they choose me. As I was looking forward to 2023, I knew what areas of life I really wanted to prioritize, but didn’t have a word that brought them all together.
Thankfully, God knew just what I needed and gave it to me at just the perfect time.
My word for 2023 is Radiant and it comes from this Bible verse:
“Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered in shame.” Psalm 34:5
The definitions for radiant (that I am using to guide me) are:
sending our light, glowing or shining brightly
clearly emanating great joy, love or health
I have three main things that I really want to work on this year and I love how “Radiant” shines a light on all of them…
First, I want to continue to look to Jesus. I’ve had some personal struggles in the last year and yet, very little stress, as I continued to look to Jesus and to trust that it is all a part of His plan - for my own good and his glory. It’s the most peace I’ve ever felt through trial. I just keep talking to Him, reading and studying His Word and relying on His promises. In 2023, I want more of this. Not the trials, maybe, but the trust and the faith and the time with Jesus. I want to look to Him and in doing so, to be radiant.
Second, I want to grow my businesses, particularly grace and light papers. I want God’s Word to be sent into more homes and for more little hands to color His promises. I also want this to be a steady stream of income for me and my family. This little baby business feels precious and also full of promise. Growing this business to send out 1,000 coloring posters each month is my “stretch dream” for the year and the part that feels the scariest to share and also to undertake.
Third, I want to work on my physical health. I need to take care of some minor medical issues that I’ve been putting off and I want to feel good in my body again. I want to do the work I need to do to feel confident, healthy, and radiant!
I am in a season of life where I feel safe, content, and ready to be and give a bit more and I am curious about what my life will look like if I really lean into this word and this work. All that feels like a pretty great starting point for 2023 and a radiant year!
Margaret, my six-and-a-half-year-old, made me this bracelet to keep my word close and visible and I LOVE it!