A Wrap Up Post on my One Word DWELL... aka How It Bossed Me Around (PLUS A GIVEAWAY!)

Ahh - it's almost the New Year! 

There is something about a brand new calendar and a clean slate... a fresh start and blank page that just stirs up all the feels for me!  Also - who doesn't love a calendar or day planner to fill up with possibilities and dreams for what's to come? (Stay Tuned for more on that below...)

I joined this movement way back in 2012.  I've played along with the growing community ever since!

We pray and wait... lean in and listen, and we pick one little word... --actually, we allow one little word come and pick us! It seems to be more long-lasting than the resolutions I used to make and forget about in less than a week or two. 

This year, my OneWord365 was "Dwell" and in the beginning it felt Oh So Romantic and Swoon-worthy! I couldn't WAIT to invite Dwell into my life for 2017!

I wrote a bit about Dwell here and here and here and here and here--but really, a lot of what Dwell did was boss me around... from creating space for me to slow and rest and dwell with Him, to coarse correcting when I began to dwell NOT on Him --but other distractions that were stealing my peace and my joy, to causing me to Dwell when all I wanted (or thought I wanted) to do was cut and run!

In reflecting over 2017, I realized that Dwell was super bossy in both the good ways and the not so great ways, too. 

In the beginning of the year, I envisioned Dwell being super sweet and whispery... but more often than not, he had to shout up close to get my attention and speak truth when I was dwelling on lies.  He had to shake me awake when all I wanted was to escape and when Hard and Heavy surrounded us and tried to choke and smother us... He leaned in close and carried me... He beckoned me to dwell with Him in the midst of all of the things --the good and the hard things... and He was faithful to stay by my side.

So while I am not 'done' with Dwell, after a difficult and draining year, I'm ready for a new word.

I've gone from Release, to Surprise, to Vision, to Wonder, to Change, to Dwell, to my OneWord for 2018 which, again, I LOVE! (Thank You, Jesus!)

My OneWord365 for 2018 is: "JOY"

         I know, right? Oh how I need it!

If you hang around this little corner of the interwebs much at all, then you know that picking favorites is NOT my jam! I'm no good at limiting myself to just one... however, I have learned over the years that I don't so much pick my OneWord365, but it picks me! 

I was really hoping that after a year of DWELL my exhausted soul would feel lighter... refreshed... more peaceful and joy-filled.

Yeah... not so much!  But I can't imagine (read:don't even want to!) what condition my soul would be in after 2017 if I hadn't embraced Dwell and let it boss me around a bit!  It bossed me around through difficult relationships, through way too many days spent in hospital rooms and it bossed me around when my mind tried to listen to lies in the midst of unknowns, loss, and grief.  Dwell also did romance me and woo me to the ocean shore several times this year... and he sang over me while I fell asleep in My Honeys' arms... He whispered softly to me as he called me to just come and sit and be with Jesus for awhile... even though it felt like I didn't have the time.

Dwell was bossy in all the best ways and I know I am better for it!

I tend to look up the official definition of my OneWord each year because it usually broadens what I am looking for and gives me something a bit more tangible to grab hold of.

Here are a few of the definitions that stood out to me for Joy:

: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight

: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss

: a source or cause of delight

: is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.

I mean... come on! 
That's a Good Word, right there!

I love me some confirmation so after first hearing in my spirit the word, Joy, I asked the Lord to clarify... I mean - we know what Joy is... but what did He have in mind for 2018 and bringing Joy in my life? 

Immediately I heard Him whisper,
  "You know... Joy!  
      As in, HILARIOUS!"

Alrighty! I'll take it! Please and Thank You!

The next day, I shared my one word with a friend and told her I wasn't convinced yet it was Him and not just me because I am in desperate need of Joy.  Her response was something like, "Well - it makes sense because Joy comes in the morning and you guys have had a really hard year of mourning... so Joy is the next Promise to grab hold of!"

As has also become my habit, I ask God for a Scripture... and He is always quick to answer:

" Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope" Romans 15:13 The Passion Translation

Happy New Year, sweet readers! Here's to a Year filled to overflowing with Joy... Unspeakable Joy!

Here's the part where I geek out just a tiny bit and remind you that a Brand New Day Planner can bring me Joy, too! And I most love Life Planners by Erin Condren! I found a crazy deal on them before the holidays so I bought one for myself and one for my Girlie... but she knows me oh so well and she had ordered a personalized EC Life Planner for me for Christmas! So that simply means that I have an EXTRA Gorgeous Day Planner for the taking --um, for the giving!

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We will pick a Random Winner (US Residents only please!) on New Year's Day!







Linking up with these lovely communities:

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

LORI SCHUMAKER FOR #MOMENTSOFHOPE

#FreshMarketFriday...

Do you have OneWord this year?  If so, I'd love to know what it is! Share in the Comments below!