My One Word for 2014

Wow- only one week into the New Year and I already feel like I’m running to catch up! I didn’t plan to take such an extended blogging break, but I also didn’t plan to be sick for most of the last two months. The rotten cold symptoms started on Halloween and persisted through much of December. I also had an infection in each of my eyes. In short, I was a mess! My youngest daughter was also sick, although she recovered more quickly than I did. My husband had strep throat and bronchitis in December, so we were miserable together. Thankfully we were on the mend just in time for Christmas. We did ALL of our holiday shopping (groceries, gifts, wrapping paper, etc.) the weekend before Christmas! Somehow everything came together and we had a nice holiday. 

In the midst of it all, I did manage to spend some time thinking about what my “one word” will be for 2014. Instead of making resolutions that I will never keep, I choose just one word that represents what I want to focus on throughout the year.  I’ve been doing this for several years now and I have experienced more personal growth using this method than any other I’ve tried.

I started to consider what my word would be around mid-November. My first thought was the word change. I immediately decided that I was only thinking about that word because the coming year brings with it some obvious changes for our family. Our youngest is graduating from high school in May and will be moving away to attend college in August. We will be "empty nesters." It’s only natural that I would think of that word, but that can’t be my “one word.”

Throughout the next couple of weeks my thoughts just continued to circle around to the word change. I kept trying to avoid it because that word makes me nervous. Change is often difficult. It can be messy and inconvenient. I had flashbacks to the 15 moves we made during the first 15 years of our married life. Why couldn’t my word be beauty or bliss or serene? Those sounded much less threatening to me. I kept trying, but I just couldn’t get away from that word. 

About mid-December my husband asked me if I had my “one word” for 2014 yet. I told him that I had something I kept thinking about, but I wasn’t particularly happy with it. When I said that the word was change, he got this surprised look on his face and said,  "Are you serious? That’s the word I’ve been thinking about, too!" Well, isn’t that great?! Not only has God been speaking to me about change, but He’s also speaking to my husband about it! I was officially nervous and a bit freaked-out. 

Now that I’ve had some more time to think and let that word settle into my heart, I’m still a bit apprehensive, but I’m also excited. Change can be challenging. It requires something of me. Or a whole lot of me. However, it doesn’t have to be negative. From a practical perspective, I know that this is a time of preparation for the future changes our family is already anticipating. So, I have decided to embrace the process and trust that God will see me through. Even in the midst of change, He is constant and ever-faithful. The plans that He has for me are good. With this in mind, I boldly declare that my word for 2014 is change. Let the adventures begin!

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. ~Isaiah 54:10

Giving Myself a Refocus

As you may know by now, my word for 2013 is “Focus.” Over the course of the last five months I feel as though my efforts to really pursue greater focus in my life have been completely under attack. To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m making any progress in this area. I feel more scattered and distracted than ever!

Last night I was discussing my frustration with my husband. He was very encouraging and reminded me that all of us need to “refocus” every once in a while.

The word “refocus” made me think about a behavior modification program that several of the teachers in our local school district use with their students. Whenever a student is struggling to meet classroom expectations (talking at inappropriate times, getting off-task, not completing work, etc.), the teacher will hand the student a form and instruct them to “go refocus.” The student will then go to a designated area and fill out the Refocus form. In essence, the form asks three basic questions: 

(1) What were you doing?

(2) What were you supposed to be doing?

(3) What will you do differently next time?

This gives the child the opportunity to think about the choices they have been making and how to make better, more appropriate choices in the future. Once they have completed the form, they review it with the teacher. They are also required to take the form home, review it with a parent, have the parent sign the form, and then return it to the teacher the next day.

Some students just go through the motions and this process has little long-term effect on their behavior. But for many students, a Refocus really does help them evaluate and take responsibility for their choices.

Due to my own recent behavior and choices, I have decided to give myself a Refocus. Admittedly, this may seem a bit unusual, but I need to get myself back on track. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

(1)  What were you doing? Allowing myself to get distracted by situations and circumstances over which I have little or no control, brooding over the lack of an apology that I believe I deserve but doesn’t seem to be forthcoming, over-committing and allowing my schedule to get too busy, sweating the small stuff and letting fear creep in, and not getting enough sleep!

(2) What were you supposed to be doing? Not worrying, prioritizing my to-do list and keeping a sane schedule, guarding my heart, trusting God, and going to bed at a decent hour.

(3) What will you do differently next time? Walk in faith rather than fear, allow grace to abound towards myself and others, grow in discipline, daily pursue my purpose, be positive, trust God, and get some sleep!

Some students only have to Refocus once or twice in order to change their behavior. I might be one of those challenging students who have to go through the process multiple times before change occurs. At least I don’t have to do it alone…

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ~Phil 1:6

 

Day Twenty-One- Prayer Changes Everything

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Never stop praying, parents! Pray with your children whenever you possibly can.  Pray together in the morning when your day starts, at meal times, when they have owies or hurt feelings or are worried, and before they go to bed.  Pray with them when they aren’t feeling well.  Say prayers of thanksgiving when all is well.  Have them pray.  How precious it is to hear the sincere faith-filled prayer of a little child!

Most of all, parents, I want to encourage you to pray for your children. We can do our very best to train and teach our kiddos, but God is the only One who can truly bring about change in their hearts.  Sometimes we just need to stop preaching at our kids, and start really praying for them.

Prayer really does change everything!