One of the things I like about being a January baby is starting my year 16 days later than everyone else. It’s not very productive, but I feel like it takes about that long to recover from the holidays and get my head on straight and ready for the new year ahead.
So no more excuses. Today’s my birthday and it’s time to face the new year. But before that, here are 34 moments in my 34 years.
I’m 34. That’s a year older than when Jesus finished His ministry on Earth. That’s mid-30s, isn’t it? I’m in my mid-30s?!? Honestly, I thought I’d be in a different place in life by now. Married with kids for example, but life doesn’t always turn out the way we imagined.
Take last year. My One Word was Brave. I imagined exciting things and epic adventures, not one health issue after another. Last year, while I had to keep reminding myself to be brave through the pain, the curveballs, and the unwanted changes, I was also chanting, “One day at a time.” It was my mantra when I didn’t feel brave and wanted to give up. It was a good mantra, but it had a side effect.
As I told myself to take things one day at a time, part of me stopped hoping. Although I had my hopes and prayers, I mostly dealt with what was in front of me. There wasn’t enough energy left to face more than that. I stopped looking forward.
It was not a bad thing. I didn’t forget that God would pull me through. I didn’t forget my dreams and goals. I didn’t stop believing in a blessed future. It was more of a hunkering down, making the most of the cards I was dealt, and adjusting to the onslaught of changes happening in my life. Like I was in a boat with a minor leak. The boat is moving and Jesus is the captain, but I’m focused on repairing the leak to look up and forward.
This year, that changes.
At least, I hope it changes! I want to look up and look forward. I want to actively hope again. I want to anticipate.
Anticipate: To imagine or expect that something will happen,
sometimes taking action in preparation for it
Cambridge Dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org
It’s a tough One Word. After last year’s Brave turned out differently than I thought, it’s tough to imagine or expect things – the things of my hopes and dreams and goals, the stuff Jeremiah 29:11 is made of. And tougher still to take action in preparation for their happening.
But to anticipate is to put faith at work. I don’t know yet what actions I’ll take to prepare for the things I imagine or expect. I don’t know yet if there’s one or a few specific things I really want to anticipate this year. I don’t know what God has in store and how this word would play out in my 34th year, but I’m looking up. I’m looking forward. I’m hoping and expecting and believing.
