I took my Mom’s advice (always a good idea, right?) and asked myself two questions:
- What do I wish I had done more of in 2018?
- What do I wish I had done less of in 2018?
Working through the answers to those questions, along with reviewing last year’s goals, led me to the word I’m choosing for 2019.
Communicate.
I’m thinking of two different ways that word can be applied in my life. First of all, I want to remind myself every day to communicate with my husband. We talk and text all the time, but this year I want to be very careful to communicate love, faithfulness, appreciation, respect, friendship and closeness with Paul. This might require specific words, specific actions or a specific heart attitude.
The second application of communicate comes from the passage of Scripture that had the most impact on me through last year’s Bible reading: 1 Peter 3. I want to communicate a gentle and quiet spirit, one that hopes in God and is quick to share that hope with others. This applies to every situation in my life – marriage, family, work and everything in between.
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves…”
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”
I am thankful for the grace and growth that God brought to my life in the last two years, and I’m excited to see how He works through my focus for 2019. It usually turns out a lot different than I think it will. 🙂
Have you chosen a word for 2019? If so, I would love to hear what it is and why you chose it!
Come Home For Comfort 
I love those questions! I think I’ll have to save those for a fun date night conversation starter. Love your word. Excited to see how God communicates with you this year as you’re aspiring to work on communication. I’m still finalizing my word of the year for 2019.
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Oooh, that’s a great idea! Paul and I always talk through our goals and that would be a good thing to add to our discussion.
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What a great idea to reflect upon what you wish you had done more of and less of!
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I loved her idea and I’m so glad I thought through my answers! 🙂
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LOVE the questions you asked yourself about last year……….
Wishing you a year full of smiles 🙂
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Same to you, Wendi!
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Bless you.
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Good word! I think I’m going to choose “love” for 2019. Doing things with love is so important, and the world definitely needs more love! It doesn’t need to be a romantic type of love, but that’s special, too. My word of “progress” for 2018 was very fruitful, and I honestly could do that one again. Might keep both in my heart and see what happens! You’re right, Whitney, things definitely take a turn in a different way than we expect!! 🙂 Happy New Year!
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I “love” your word for this year! 🙂
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Oh how I need to work on communicating with my man…but for real communicating haha. We suck at it. I’ve chosen my word for 2019 and I’m still working on outlining all the ways I need to apply it. 2018 my word was enough and it was such an amazing guide for me!
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I’m right there with you, Shelly! One of the practical things I’m doing is just making sure we actually TALK about our schedules instead of just putting things on the calendar and expecting him to see it.
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I love the idea of choosing just one word and applying the new year’s hopes and goals toward it. A few years back, an acquaintance of mine declared that “2016 would be a year of miracles.” After he stated that, I intentionally looked for God’s grace and working in my life. It was amazing! Your post reminded me that it can be helpful to “zoom in” on one word for the year. 🙂 Thank you!
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That’s wonderful, Hannah! God is at work all around us, and we’re never disappointed when we set our focus on that!
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