I’ve never chosen a word for the upcoming year – as a matter of fact, I’m pretty new to goal-setting in general! As I began to think back over 2017, I realized that even though I didn’t assign a word for the year, last year’s word was grace. I learned so much about grace as I received it in abundance from my Heavenly Father and as I learned to extend it to others in return. There were quite a few days last year that I spent in survival mode, just going about the tasks necessary to keep my household, job and life going. I found a lot of peace and comfort in those basic tasks!
As I thought about my goals for 2018, one word kept coming to my mind – GROW. I don’t want to be the same person I was at the start of 2017. I don’t want to say, “Whew! We made it through 2017, so now we can get back to the way things were!” I want to leave the hard times in the past but carry with me the things that God graciously and lovingly taught me. This passage came to my mind as I was thinking about moving on:
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
Paul and I have already created a list of things we want to accomplish this year as a couple – from books we want to read to ways we want to serve and even the atmosphere we want to create in our home. These goals will stretch us, and the word GROW seems fitting for those goals as well as for the ones I have in mind for myself.
I’ll share my goals for 2018 later on this month once I’ve lived with them for a while. Until then, I hope to encourage you with my word for 2018. Is there something you need to leave in the past so you can press on toward the goal (which happens to be Christlikeness)?
Do you choose a word for the year? If so, I’d love to know what your word is for 2018! Leave me a comment and tell me about it!
Come Home For Comfort 
Such a great choice! We should all be using the knowledge we gather from others and our own experiences to grow….if not what’s the point in getting older and wiser?!! Love!
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Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by, Shelly!
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I think that I’m going to go with “progress” for 2018. There are many aspects of my life that need to move forward, so I can certainly use to see “progress.” 🙂
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That’s a great one!
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Love your word and love your message for the new year. Seems like it perfectly suits you. That’s so nice that you and Paul have things you want to do and accomplish together this year. I need to sit down and talk things through with Kevin. You’re going to laugh when you see my word of the year next week. It’s my 6th year in a row of doing a word of the year and it’s one of my favorite ways to start January.
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I love that we chose the same word! This is the first time that Paul and I have really unified on our goals for the year, so I’m excited to see where that leads!
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LOVE your word for the year, your reasoning for choosing it, and of course, you, sweet friend! Thank you for sharing!! xo! – Brenda // Chatting Over Chocolate
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Thank you, Brenda! Hugs to you!
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Mine this year is peace. There’s a lot of uncertainty and waiting in my life right now, so trying to be at peace with the journey is what I’m working on this year! Love your word, and looking forward to reading about your goals for the 2018!
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There’s nothing easy about uncertainty and waiting – I’ll be praying for you, Rebecca! Trials never last forever, a day will come (maybe soon, maybe in Heaven) when all the pieces will fit into place. Until then, know that the God who spoke the worlds into space is the God who speaks peace to you. Hugs!
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Love, love, love. This year my word was chosen for me…. I’ll give more details on that in the coming weeks. But it is Simplify. Which seems completely hilarious and totally appropriate too.
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Can’t wait to read all about that!!
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What a great word for the year! We all can grow in so many areas. I hope to grow as a better Christian, wife, mom, daughter and friend.
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You’re right – it applies to so many areas!
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This year my husband and I picked a word for us as a couple. It is perserverence. We searched for a word that we could apply to our spiritual lives, as well as financial, physical and personal goals. Somehow selecting a word together brought us peace and excitement for the new year!
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I love that you chose your word together! That’s awesome!
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Interesting…as I’ve been reading some blogs this afternoon….this is the second time I’ve seen GROW as the word for the year. Who would have guessed?:) I always enjoy your blog – and look forward to how the Lord will grow you in 2018. Hope you will share with us.
If you ever think you want to “grow” your business adventure side, you might consider helping others with their blog updates. Your mom’s blog looks great!! (just sayin’)
Happy New Year!!
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That is interesting, Jennifer! Thank you for your sweet words about mom’s blog – I just helped her navigate the technical side of the blog. She was the creative master. 😊
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I love having a word for the year. My word for this year is NEW. I want to focus on my new life in Christ, NEW priorities of my time now that we have found someone to help in the church office, NEW understanding of the Word, NEW beginnings for strained relationships to name a few. I know God has more in store!
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That is a great one! Also, so exciting to have a little extra time in your schedule!
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I picked the word, HOLY. Do I live as a person who is set apart? Am I holy because God says I am to be holy? What does that look like day to day? AND what areas of my life are simply not holy… I have some goals, too… I think I’m keeping them but, I may tweak them over the next few weeks:-) Looking forward to reading yours!
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That’s a great one, Leanne! I love those questions that really apply it to daily life. Thanks for sharing!
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My Bible study group does this every year! My word for 2017 was abide, but I’m still figuring out 2018. I like to make a YouVersion bookmark label with my word and the year to tag the verses that help or teach me. It’s been so good to revisit what He’s taught me and how He’s been faithful in the past – small ebenezers that I can find strength in.
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I love your idea to make a youversion bookmark label! Thank you for sharing that, Megan!
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I don’t usually choose a word for the year either but this year I decided on INTENTIONAL. I want to live for Christ intentionally and not just “go through the motions” of life! Praying for you as you grow this year! 🙂
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That’s a great one, Amy! Thanks for sharing!
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Looking forward to growing together!
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Me too!
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Last year’s was obedience and this year grace came to mind lol! Before that, I didn’t really think of a word for the year. I feel like I need to extend more grace to my husband, and of course others as well. May God bless you in this new year as you seek His will for your life. 🙂
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Grace is a great one – and you’ll never regret showing grace to your loved ones. Thanks for sharing!
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