2019: One Word

@JeanneTakenaka +Jeanne Takenaka

There’s something about a new year that enables me to breathe deep. 

2018 was a tough year for our family. We walked through some things with the boys that had me remembering that my Hope is truly found in Jesus alone. I found myself turning to Him in the stress and the chaos that the year threw at me.

In December, my sweet mama fell and broke her hip and wrist. I am so thankful I live close enough to drive and help my parents. Jesus strengthened each of us as we walked through the craziness of that month. And the beautiful thing was, God gave my mom her wish of coming home on Christmas Day to spend it with our family. 

I ended 2018 just trying to remember how to breathe and slow down my heart and soul to a speed of stillness.

I love a new year because God gives me a new focus with One Word. I am a “One Word” gal, rather than a New Year’s Resolution gal. I’m always surprised at how God brings these words to life in my heart. These are my previous words:

2012—Passion

2013—Perspective

2014—Enough

2015—Breathe

2016—Authentic

2017—Intentional

2018—Hope

As I walked through our summer and fall months with crazy schedules, extra appointments, and navigating life as a mom with teen boys, I found myself managing the trials and the craziness that was our lives. 

I kind of forgot how to live in each moment. Managing is my “go-to” mode. I can control things—or at least myself—even when I can’t control the circumstances I find myself in. There is a measure of comfort in having control (or at least thinking I have control) in my life. I’m a “do-er,” and managing makes me feel like I’m doing, rather than “being done to.”

The thing is, though? I forgot how to breathe, how to embrace every moment, the joyous ones and the heart-breaking ones. I turned off my emotions so I could accomplish what needed to be done next.

As I prayed about my word for 2019, I sensed God giving me the word . . . 

As in to live in each moment. Through the calm times and the storm-tossed times.

There’s a place for managing in our lives, but it shouldn’t be our main method for getting through every season.

On December 31st, 2018, God showed me my verse for the year:

In learning how to choose Hope in 2018, I had to choose to look to Jesus—to trust Him—when life’s storms sent waves cresting across my days. 

I sense the Lord will continue to give me opportunities to practice keeping my Hope in Him as I also learn how to Live fully in each moment. I suspect I’ll be learning how to trust Him when life’s storms come. And we all know, they will come.

I look forward to growing closer to the Lord, and maybe even reflecting Him more vibrantly to those around me as I learn how to live in every moment.

What about you? What do you like best about the beginning of a new year? If you focus on one word, what is your word for this year and what led you to it?

Click to Tweet: There’s a place for managing in our lives, but it shouldn’t be our main method for getting through every season.

I’m linking up with #RaRaLinkup and #TellHisStory.