Happy New Year! Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I don’t have a lot of success with sticking to them, so I really don’t make any. I love the concept of one word to focus on in the new year, and this year my one word is HOPE.
This past year has been so rich and full for me - many amazing signs of growth in my own life, within my family, at my church. We have seen God’s hand of blessing in many areas.
Last year was also a time of some incredible difficulty in our home, and one that we won’t soon forget. However, I can already see God at work to make things better, less awful, more holy.
And that gives me HOPE.
I love this passage in Isaiah 43:16-19 -
This is what the Lord says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Wow! God promises them that He is doing a new thing, despite all the hardships they had faced.
I am counting on God to prepare a way for me in the new year. I am trusting that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that He will shepherd me and lead me in the new year.
Because I have spent some time feeling broken, and not knowing where else to turn, and God has to be enough. I have to trust in Him to prepare a way, to help me perceive the new things He is doing, to provide streams in the wasteland.
My hope, my one word - my Hope - is in God.
When my heart was overflowing in His goodness - Hope.
When my days were long and very normal - Hope.
For those days I could not move - Hope.
To remind me that He was making a way - Hope.
As I stood at the doorway to 2014, it was a good time to look back, to thank God for the Hope he provided. It was also a special time to thank Him for the many times that He made a way for me, to remember the streams He provided in the wilderness days of my year.
I’m entering 2014, taking all the God-moments from last year, and looking ahead with One name on my lips - Jesus - and with hope in my heart.
Hope. It’s my one word for 2014.
Happy new year, dear friends!
Original photo source & license
Beautiful….love this idea of choosing one word.And the way you relate it to scripture and your own life’s journey is just lovely!
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you much peace, happiness, health this year, friend!
Chris recently posted…13 For 2013~ The Story of Our Year in Photos
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Rebekah Reply:
January 1st, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Thank you! I’m looking forward to a very blessed new year! Best wishes to you & yours as well! XO!
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I love this. And I love what you wrote in that top graphic…just beautiful!! Thanks for linking up!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 1st, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Thank you! What I wrote on the graphic was straight from something I shared on my personal FB page - trusting God as we head into this new year. Happy new year to you & yours!!
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Simply beautiful, my friend. I am excited to see God fulfill this word over your life this year!
Carlie Kercheval @ Learning to Speak Life™ recently posted…Limited Time: Kindle Version On Sale $1.99!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 1st, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Thank you, Carlie! I’m excited for what God has ahead this year. You are such a blessing to me!
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So excited to see what God has in store for you this year! Blessings my #HashtaggingBuddy
Heather G. @ Golden Reflections Blog recently posted…Frugal Christmas Guest Post: Peppermint Scented Homemade Play Dough
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Rebekah Reply:
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Thank you! I’m eagerly anticipating another year of walking with Jesus! So glad to have met you along the way - what a blessing! #HashtagsRock
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Hope is a good word. Tomorrow I’m letting my word out on my blog. Thanks for linking up to Pinastic Pinteresting Party
Jill @ Called To Be A Mom recently posted…Sunshine Award -January 2014
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Rebekah Reply:
January 4th, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Thanks, Jill! I’m looking forward to seeing what your word is!
Happy new year!
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I think Hope is a great word to guide you, and everyone, through 2014. I think everyone needs hope in times of good and in times of bad. When hope ceases to exist for someone, that’s when things are truly bad. Thanks for posting this — we can all use a little hope from time to time.
Alison @ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades recently posted…Guylian Chocolate Giveaway
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Rebekah Reply:
January 5th, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Yes! When we don’t have hope, we really don’t have anything - so true! Happy new year!!
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I love the word Hope! Visiting from Blogelina! My One Word is present. Here is my post
http://womenwithintention.com/one-word-2014/
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Rebekah Reply:
January 5th, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Thank you, Jenny! Heading over to read your post now.
Happy new year!
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Great idea. I may have to think about that or a phrase to live by in the coming year. I certainly wish you the best in the coming year!
Lisa Trudell recently posted…Fit by 40 – Let the Journey begin
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Rebekah Reply:
January 5th, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Thank you so much, Lisa! I like the idea of one word because I struggle to follow through with a whole list of resolutions. I can do one word - I can focus on just one word for the year! Happy new year!!
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is there a website that the one word thing comes from? everyone seems to be doing it!
i love hope, and the reasons you chose. blessings in the new year!
Liv recently posted…Breaking Down Blogging Ethics
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Rebekah Reply:
January 5th, 2014 at 10:23 pm
Hi Liv! I don’t know for sure - this is the closest I can find: http://myoneword.org/
I’ve just seen people choosing a word for the year, and I decided to participate. Thanks for stopping by! Happy new year!!
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