The last year has been interesting for my writing. Although I’ve been very quiet – practically nonexistent – here on the blog, I’ve been writing a lot for the ministry. Every month, I write children’s ministry curriculum and it has taken a lot of my time. I really didn’t like that and I could improve on getting ahead, but I loved that writing our own curriculum brought consistency and cohesion to our ministry and what the kids are learning.
My One Word last year was Anticipate, and I did have hopes for that word! It means to imagine or expect that something would happen, sometimes taking action in preparation for it. It was to be my reminder to put faith into action. I did not anticipate hardly writing on the blog. I had hoped to write more, had thoughts of blog changes, being more consistent on my other projects, and much more. I even anticipated…love.
Love did happen or was celebrated, fyi, just not for me. My two friends got married in Maui, Hawaii, and I threw in a vacation in there.
I was consistent on work and projects (though not the ones I thought of), mainly writing for the ministry, but also as I took on the Social Media and Communications team at church. I graduated from 3 places: a Writing and Selling Children’s Literature course, Kidmin Academy Next, and Advantage College (got a Masters of Ministry). I also became a pastor (technically a Local Church Minister).
I forgot all about my one word, Anticipate. Looking back, the year felt like the second part of the definition of that word. It felt like I was taking action in preparation for…. I don’t know exactly, because it didn’t feel like work for something I had imagined or expected. It felt like faith stepped in. Looking back, last year felt like I was taking action in preparation for something God had planned.
That’s a good thing! A great thing, even, albeit annoying that I can’t see what it was I was preparing for. Such is the nature of faith. If we can see up ahead, we won’t need faith. Faith has us looking to God like we’re toddlers, trusting Him to know what’s good for us and to do what’s best for us.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 55:8-9,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
How’d I forget about those verses when choosing Anticipate as my word 2019? Whatever it was that I imagined or expected, Iv’e always prayed for God’s will be done, and I’m guessing He put me into action towards something He’s imagined and expected. Silly me, but it’s okay because I want His plans for me. Don’t hear me saying that like I’m holier than thou. I say that because I know what a mess I make of my life and I’m tired of it. Let me just go along for the ride while *cue music* Jesus takes the wheel. So my word for 2020?
Story. My 2020 One Word is Story. God has written stories for me. Stories for me to follow and live. Stories for me to write and share. This is the year for stories. God stories. Faith stories. Children’s stories. Love stories. Stories with lots of imagination, some expectation, and many surprises from the Author of the universe.
