Enthusiastically, Dawn

As I continue the journey of choosing One word for my year instead of a list of resolutions, I find myself flabbergasted by the absolute consistency this anticipated choice is made. Whether for me or by me is the mystery. Because I most certainly am surprised each year that as I begin to ponder the possibilities, how every single time without fail, as I do, the Lord Himself intervenes. How do I know this? How can I be sure I am not just psychologically willing a word into my own mind of my choosing?

Well, I will tell you.

I have written fairly extensively about the One Word topic. To be clear this was not my own “big idea” but introduced to me at a Personal Training Conference one year in Boston. I assure you when left to my own devices without an intervening and merciful God, I am known to overdo things a tad. You know, make a mess of things, or mountains of molehills, etc. So when I did have this concept of choosing a word at this weekend conference for Personal Trainers in my former life, I sat in the hotel lobby pondering the plethora of possibilities of choosing one word, one little word as a focus, if you will, to guide all I would do for the next year. It was November, and the city was besieged by fitness instructors planning their next moves for clients as well as for their own lives. And I was happily among them.

I watched the bustle of busyness as I sat on a brief break between workshops and classes, and noticed the potted tree at the side of the couch with beautiful oval-shaped gray stones at the base of the pot. As I looked at the stones, it occurred to me I should take one as a memento of this trip and that (I know this is technically stealing but hear me out) I should put my word choice on this stone from this hotel lobby (I mean God made the stones, right?). Because stones, right? Stones are biblical. Clearly, I was not thinking very biblically at the time, and quite wrapped up in the search for my One Word. The second thing I recall was thinking (and here is where the problem lies), if one word is good, wouldn’t a few words be better? Oy. This is the reason, I have had to surrender completely the choice of my One Word to an all-knowing, merciful, and gracious Savior who is more concerned about my self-care (and soul-care) than I ever will learn to be!

That year God taught me the first lesson that He, The Living, Eternal Word who is also my Counselor and Confidante was fully capable of revealing what His will for my word would and should be. If I was willing to listen. Interestingly enough, it was only this year, eleven years later that LISTEN(ING) was His word for me. He is very patient! I happily chose my best words in my estimation for the year 2012. Then the overwhelm hit me. And I looked up and heard a word.

That year He- The One, True, Living God chose my word, for the first time and it was, the word, Less. Let the humility training begin. But, Lord, said I. Less, I felt the Spirit nudge. Ugh, said I.

And so it began. His faithfulness, my unwillingness…and eventual surrender. What I have learned again, and again- His way is best. Every year I wait, listening. Don’t get me wrong, I usually have an inkling. A direction. This year, I was hinting some words to the Lord, you know, in our discussions and prayer times with Him.

“Lord, I do need more discipline. So maybe that is the word…what do you think?”

“Phew, Lord, I need to keep life simple. I complicate things. Surely you agree? Simple? Simplify? Is that it?”

This hinting and seeking begins as I reflect on the lessons learned from the past year and allow God to guide my thinking in quiet times of prayer. These times can be in the morning, in the shower, or driving! Often while journaling.

However, I can only tell you that over the years I think I hear Him more clearly and am more patient (no minor miracle) in waiting for the revelation of this word which will allow God to direct my paths with the lessons I need. It is no surprise that though my word choices might be good, even needful, they often are practical, in my view. Scripture says we who believe have the mind of Christ. We have His very Spirit, the Spirit of the Living God, to guide and direct our thinking. Jesus is God, Jesus is The Word. All things were made for Him, through Him, by Him. This is the One who I let choose my One Word, because…well, duh. He is faithful and true. Me, I am a hot mess in need of some cooling.

It was during one of my inquisitions that I happened to come across the word I now believe is confirmed as the ONE. As a writer, looking up words is a regular occurrence in my life. On one of my recent writing quests, I was looking for a synonym for another word and as I did, a word caught my attention. I clicked on the definition and felt my soul stir. I have felt this stirring before. It is usually when God is about to tell me something or show me something. Most often it confirms to me HIs complete knowledge of my unspoken, deeper being. It makes me feel naked, but not ashamed. Exposed, but safe- as only the presence of the Lord can do. As only He can lead.

I am looking for words that address my struggles with the here and now. How I can be better, serve better, love better. How I can be who He wants me to be. On the surface, good things. Yes?

But this God I know; He does not let me settle for good things. He catches me in my deepest longings, questions, and fears. He takes my hand walks me to the edge of the abyss, and says, “Trust me.”

I look at the word and feel my heart exposed. Feel the sting of His knowing my lack,. Yet there is no judgment, only love. Only grace. Only His eternal patience, loving me into a faith that is deeper than I now can comprehend.

This Shepherd always takes the sheep deeper. The word I have stumbled upon stands between certainty and conviction and speaks to my heart and my soul. God’s heart in me quickens at the sight of it: Certitude. It draws me at first by curiosity, but then surprises me with its definition and comparison to other words of similar meaning.

” While all three words mean “a state of being free from doubt,” certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof*. ” (*see text citation below)

Do you believe God meets us where we are at? I do. Now I cannot tell you where this word will lead me this year, but what I can tell you is that God knows better than I do what I need. Often when He leads I progress in other areas of needed growth as well. As I consider the word throughout the year God will minister to me and once more lead me on the great adventure of knowing Him better. And in this endeavor He allows me to know myself better as well.

Do you choose a word instead of resolutions? How do you make your choice? I would love for you to share your Word below if you have it. If not check back in and share when you do! Meanwhile, you can see all my One Words and the many lessons God has been teaching me in this yearly pursuit by heading to this page!

My very first-word story is here: Could Less Be Best?

Tips on choosing your own word:

Listening for My One Word and How Not to Listen for Yours

Unhindered 2021 -A Few Words on Picking One Word for Your Year

Thank you for reading. I hope this article has been a blessing to you. I would love it if you signed up for an e-mail subscription. Also, if you would like to gift this author a WordPress subscription, this is the month I am due, and it would be a great way to encourage me in my writing journey! There is a link when you first come to the blog at the Header. Thank you for your consideration. Otherwise, I continue to be, yours in faith. By His grace for His glory.

Enthusiastically, Dawn

*(Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, s.v. “certitude,” accessed November 21, 2023, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certitude.)