A Word

Amazing how much meaning can be in a single word. This is the time of year where it became trendy a while back to choose a word for the year. I started doing this several years ago – and sometimes by the end of the year I didn’t even remember the word I chose. Then one year I asked the Lord to g-i-v-e me a word for the year.

Since then, I’ve written down my ‘word’ in my January calendar. Some years the words have been something to live by, like ‘grace’. A reminder to cut others a lot of slack. Then last year the word was ‘freedom’. I wasn’t sure exactly why that was my word, only that if it was going to mean freedom from daily back and neck pain, I was all in.

I can tell you now, exactly a year later, that it turned out to be the hardest word ever. The good news is, that even though it took until December to happen, I can say pain no longer dictates my days. The hard part was it took a lot of hard work. Not physical work, doctors, therapy, or anything like that. It took soul work.

“Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.” (Psalm 62:5 BSB) I had spent the previous year (2023) doing anything but resting in God. I struggled with devastating news regarding my husband. I felt abandoned by God. Why was a constant question.

Oh so much work happened in that year. So much fear, tears, worry – and a slow but sure turning. Then in 2024 what safety nets were left, were removed. And the short story is: God never leaves us. We may lose sight of Him, but in His perfect timing He grows us into the women and men He wants us to be.

This growing helps us let go of our self-reliance, our control tendencies. And then, when those just don’t work for us anymore, and we make the choice to let God be in charge, that’s when we are ready to grow.

I learned to walk in the freedom of trusting God. This morning I prayed a quick prayer for 2025 before I got out of bed. And after I shook off all the sleepies and made the bed, the thought came: “Lord what is my word this year?” What immediately came to mind? Surrender.

I looked up and said “Oh, Lord, what a word” – there’s a whole lot in that word. Sitting at my desk now, I wrote out the word surrender on the calendar date of January 1st. I won’t know til the end of 2025 all that word carries. But this I know for sure: “He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.” (Psalm 62:6-7 BSB)