I just re-read my entry for last January 2016 about my “Word for the Year.” And I’ll tell you the truth … I had tears in my eyes while reading it. I was excited about the “possibilities” of what lay ahead in the new year, and wow – did God deliver!
(Check out this post here about all the things that happened throughout 2016.)
Since last year’s word proved to be so prophetic, I was excited about what God might give me for this year’s word. He actually started laying it on my heart before Christmas, and I feel even more confident about this word as 2017 has begun.
This year’s word is: Balance.
There are so many things going on in my life right now. Work. Writing. Friends and family. Church. And the everyday things. Like laundry and housework. Cooking. Exercising. Just life in general.
And it all feels very overwhelming.
I focused a great deal on my writing in 2016, which was good and right and necessary. But in doing that, so many other areas of life kind of fell by the wayside. And now I’m having to pick up those pieces and try to put things back into some semblance of order.
I don’t function well in chaos. My type A, high C personality craves order, organization, systems, and a methodical pace of life. I want to make plans and keep plans. I love to make lists and actually check things off of it! I need down-time to think and just relax and BE.
This year, I’m striving to find that place of balance – where all the wonderful and necessary pieces of my life can find a way to co-exist. And not drive me crazy in the process!
I know what has brought me to this place, and while it’s not all bad, there are things I can do to improve my situation. Things I can do to help create that sense of balance in my life.
Last year, I had a Scripture to go with my word – Matthew 19:26.
This year, I’m reminded of the passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the famous “Seasons” passage. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” It goes on to list a myriad of things we experience in life. And each one of them is needed. Each one must have its place in order for us to live full, abundant, fulfilled, and healthy lives.
So there it is – my new word for a new year. Balance. I’m putting it out there, and I hope to have some good news to report on this time next year.
Have you ever had a “word” for the year? Or maybe even just some goals or the dreaded “New Year’s resolutions”? Have they worked out in the past? If not, what are you doing differently this year to make that happen?
Please share in the comments. And if you have any tips or advice for finding balance in your life, I’d love to hear that, too!
Hope Welborn 