I usually count my blessings daily and my heart’s desire is to continuously give thanks and praise to God, though I confess I fall short. So despite a year of obstacles, challenges and downright spiritual attack, I found myself hesitant to consider my year in retrospect. I was dragging my feet even though I usually start pondering in Fall, all of the things God has been revealing to me. I’m not sure if it was the accident on October 31st which was the straw that broke the camel’s back, or the fact that Thanksgiving was later than usual, thrusting the Christmas season upon us at breakneck speed. Either way, I found myself dragging my feet to put pen to paper about 2014. There were great blessings and great trials. Great joy, and great pain. I started the year with the word Renewal and soon realized my vision and God’s version were not the same…at all.
I bought my last journal for 2014 in November in New Jersey at Pier 1 Imports. I thought I would carry it through the New Year. But, I am ready to leave behind 2014 and embrace all 2015 will be, for better and worse. I can say with Paul,
“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” Phillippians 4:12
It was while scribbling before God in my journal where My One Word was affirmed for this year. I had a few themes swimming around in my head, which seemed to keep coming up: Joy, Simplicity, Abundance, Abiding…BUT, God opened the door as He does when He wants to speak to His own, and I felt the confirmation that only The Holy Spirit can give.
How did God affirm it?
Through a church message, through my daily quiet time and journaling, through a song and through my reading of His word. But, ultimately God used a number of incidents, circumstances and voices to confirm what He wants my focus to be…even before I was sure, I wrote the words in my journal…and they were a witness that I saw staring back up at me, reminding me of His glory!
From my Journal December 19, 2014:
(and I have to say, I usually share older entries from my archives but due to timeliness and time lack, I felt this was so appropriate to share)
What really matters this Christmas…
1. I did not get a response from people…
2. My car is not working…
3. The enemy is shouting lies at me…
4. My tooth is broken; needs work…
5. I am in debt…
6. I don’t know what to do about all of my circumstances…
Now, to appreciate this little exercise you have to enter in the contemplative mode with me. See, my journal is a place I reflect, so it is pretty “in the moment”. As I wrote each of these random problems and brought them before my Faithful, Merciful God, He poured out His grace and truth into my heart, soul and mind. But how he did it is what confirmed my word!
God showed me the BUT!
As I sat in His presence, I continued my list, BUT across the page after my Ellipsis (yes, I had to look that up but in case you are as lost as me and wondering what the heck that is, it’s the three dots at the end of my statement indicating my trailing off…)- I wrote But, I am Redeemed.
Talk about a game changer in perspective.
God spoke clearly to my heart and then brought the Hymn to my mind that was sung earlier in church, “Jesus Paid It All” (music video link for e-mail subscribers).
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
Perspective. That’s what He gives me when I spend time with Him. That’s what really matters at Christmas and always. That’s what matters for now and eternity. That’s what really matters PERIOD.
So, my One Word for 2015 with all praise in, t and through Him, is Redeemed. May it define all I do and say this year.
And for you my friends joining me on the journey…I pray you know Him, and the power of His resurrection, personally, in your life this year. May each problem, obstacle and opportunity allow you grace to respond…“But, I am Redeemed!” May you know Him better today than yesterday, and may His grace abound to you.
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary 3And gathered from the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.…”~ Psalm 107:1-2
Linking with my Fellow Journal Keepers at Random Journal Day for the first time in 2015!
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
Love your sharing, Dawn! I didn’t choose a word for the year; I am still fairly new to blogging and want to continue to find my “voice” through writing…maybe next year; maybe next month?!
And, going back just to December for your RJD seems totally appropriate in what you wanted to share here!! Mine is from Sept. 2010…but, actually brings me to HERE!
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I love Redeemed as a word, such richness and goodness, you will be blessed this year.
I choose “Listen” as felt that this year God was inviting me to get into a place where i could respond to his whisper.
I will be following with interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Listen is an excellent place to be with God. I know listening to God and others is something I have had to learn and grow in…continuously. May God bless you and your word in the New Year!
LikeLike
Dawn: When I saw your chosen word, my heart started to sing,”Redeemed, I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the lamb.” I ca’t wait to read more about how this word affects your life. My word for 2015 is “Strength.” Blessings to you and yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May God reveal His strength to you in uncommon ways, and may you know His best for you, in all you do in 2015, Cecelia.
LikeLike
okay, first things first – you were in New Jersey???!! I would have loved to touch base – you are not allowed in the state again without letting me know. Second, I love your word 🙂 What matters beyond our redemption? That is our very reason for being and as such, it’s an awesome word! I was interested to see that abundance was on your radar screen – that is my word for this year. After a year of trusting God through many trials and tribulations, 2014 ended on an up note for me and I’m continuing to trust him for abundant blessings in 2015. I want to live a life beyond full – a life that thrives in his love, grace, and mercy. I’m tired of merely surviving – I want to flourish and find joy in all situations. A tall order, but ‘to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine’, it is not impossible 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Toni, I wish I would have thought to hook up with you there ! Driving on the jersey Turnpike was a horrific traumatic experience for melol…we were at the Meadowlands area for Playlist Livefor/with our daughters (myself and another mom.) We basically hung out at a local mall most of the day doing nothing…
Flourish is a word I have been praying for my daughter…that she would not survive or even thrive but flourish…Hugs! And Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Ugh! I’m sorry you didn’t think of it either – although I wouldn’t have come up the turnpike to see you LOL – I haven’t been on that road in 20 years – scares the heck out of me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to know if you are keeping a journal regularly AND if you’d consider joining us regularly (if possible ) in the new year? What do you think?
LikeLike
Funny you should ask – I didn’t keep one this past year if you can believe it. BUT, I missed it greatly and for Christmas, I got not one, but 2 journals as gifts – I think God’s giving me a big hint. I still have many from past years, and I would love to try to join you as regularly as possible 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent, Perhaps…just maybe…you might join us for 21 days to journaling n January…Great jump-start, no pressure. OK, some pressure.
LikeLike
Ok as I read this at the end of a very long and hard day, (messaged you the details) I was sure you were leading up to have your One word be…BUT!! haha! Sorry kinda tired and unbalanced at the moment. May do my RJD tomorrow. Love you Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL Susie – I thought the same about “but” 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, Ha! I can see why you could have thought that…lol. I have not been on facebook (on computer) spent day in Newport yesterday…and only random peeks on SM, did not read messages on fb but will tonight. Hugs.
LikeLike
Redeemed. There are so many things that word means. Of course you mean it in the overarching way, but when I think about it, I think of how 2015 might be a year that redeems something for you, something 2014 took away. I know God intends a whole lot more than we can comprehend so I’m with Cecelia, looking forward to hearing/reading what He does with this phrase/word throughout this year as you cling to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you , Carolyn…for some reason I almost cried when I read your response. We will see what His will is…I am beyond presumption…only know and trust His will is perfect. Beyond comprehension.
LikeLike
Yes! I agree with you Carolyn….getting back in 2015 what was taken away or limited in 2014 for Dawn!
LikeLike
That reminds me of one of my life verses – Joel 2:25 “The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.” – several translations use “restore” – which is a synonym for redeem 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that…filing away as I ponder and go forward in the new year!
LikeLike
Amen and amen!! Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so! ❤ 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it, Dawn! It doesn’t matter what else is or isn’t happening in our lives as long as the bottom line is that we have been redeemed! I have been sidetracked with family and funeral stuff for the last week so I am just now asking the Lord to help me find my One Word for the year. I was thinking “Less,” but God seems to be whispering “More.” As in more of Him, more joy, more praise, more prayer, more love, more life, more…… I’m not completely sure yet, though.
LikeLike
Hi, I’m coming to you from Holley Gerth. Great word for the year! Blessings to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person