Well, here we are again, another month went by and I didn’t even think about writing another blog post, oops. I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to say in this one and my mind keeps going all over the place. I’ve never been one to make new year’s resolutions because my ideas are always way too complicated. Most of the time I can’t even keep up with the simple ones unless I have someone to keep me accountable.
Something new, got me thinking this year. I have always heard of people having a “word of the year,” which is basically their motto for the year. I thought it would be fun to try it out since it’s not necessarily a task you need to complete or a goal to achieve. I decided to actually bring it to prayer and give it some more thought.
I started by reflecting on a young adult’s retreat that I went on a couple of months ago. During some silent time on that retreat, I reflected on a Bible verse from the book of Joshua because it said the verse was for “when you need courage for a task.” I was going through all sorts of business growth at the time, so I thought the verse would be applicable. The verse states, “I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Something about this verse just stuck out to me and stayed with me.
Flash forward to January 1st when I was talking to one of my friends on my phone while I was going through my clothes and decluttering my bedroom. I told her about my thoughts for a word of the year, and I mentioned the word courage.
After I hung up the phone with her, I continued going through the clothes in my closet. I came across a shirt that used to be one of my favorites. It was a really pretty grayish-blue color, had mountains on it, and said “Courageous. Joshua 1:9.” Huh, was this just a coincidence?
Later that evening, I went on my phone and looked up a word of the year generator. The first word that came up was fortitude. Huh, strength, courage, fortitude, could this still be a coincidence? Maybe not. I decided I would wait another day or two because I didn’t want to make a rash decision that could potentially affect my entire year in one way or another.
That same night, as I was decluttering, I saw a keychain that I had gotten from that retreat a few weeks back sitting on a stack of random stuff. At the retreat, I picked up the keychain because it was a really pretty icy blue color. I never even looked at the verse that was on it. When I picked it up off the stack of random stuff, I read it, “Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:9” There’s no way this was a coincidence anymore. The Lord apparently knew He needed to act fast since the new year had already started. That night, I decided my word of the year would be courageous.
I’m not exactly sure what it all entails yet, but I guess that’s why it lasts for a whole year right? Maybe it’s to have the courage to get back up and try some of the hard things that I have given up on? Maybe it’s to have the courage to take a new risk with this business? Maybe it’s to have the courage to talk to someone new?
Each day has new battles and it’s all about overcoming our fears and having the courage to try again.
So, what are you going to have the courage to do today?
Happy Adventuring, Hannah