Hope, Joy, Peace and Love are our focus words for Advent. They each evoke different yet special feelings this time of year. But what about bringing these or even just one of these into the rest of the year?
Many people choose a word for their year. It’s a movement and one I’ve done in the past in various ways. If you know me, I’m apt to make anything my own and this is no exception. So instead of following someone else’s prescription on how to choose a word for the year, I used my own.
I’ve been reflecting on the past year and revisited my goals from last year to check in. Looking back on this past year, I felt as though I reached for a lot, almost too much. Maybe even for things I wasn’t ready for. In the process, I achieved some long-term goals earlier than expected and paved new roads I wasn’t expecting. While all good, it was exhausting. My planning could have been better and along the way, I lost a little of my joy.
So my word for 2017 is joy. I need to find more of it again in what I do, who I am and where I’m going. I’m not following anyone else’s lead on this other than God. I am seeking His direction on how to find joy in all areas of my life. You’ll see it pop up in the next year as I seek to explore finding joy in 2017.
In the meantime, I’m focusing on the joy of Christmas: Jesus. I hope you will too. Find His joy, hope, peace, and love-it’s all wrapped up in swaddling clothes awaiting us. Lean in, dig in and trust Him and find your joy.
10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ~Luke 2:10-11
May you and yours have a blessed, joyful and Merry Christmas![tweetthis]Lean in, dig in and trust Him to find your #joy. [/tweetthis]
Linking up with Suzie at #livefree, Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday and Deb Wolf at #FaithnFriends
Sometimes it takes a while to get to our goal. As Craig used to tell his kids, “Enjoy the journey.”
So true! Thanks Rita and Merry Christmas!
I loved this Jill. I studied several months on joy for a retreat I did and I learned sooo much! It is way too elusive for many of us and you have brought up some great points. Thank you for your candid perspective as you use joy for your theme this coming year. I was blessed:)
Thanks Gretchen-I did see some of your joy content-we’ll have to talk. 😉 Thanks for your thoughts and I look forward to digging into His joy! Merry Christmas!
I love having a one word. They can be life changing when it’s God-directed. Joy is a good word, something I need more of, too. I look forward to following along in your journey, Jill!
Thanks Kelly, I pray my journey with joy will be God directed. Glad you’ll be joining me! Merry Christmas!
Jill, what a great word that is for 2017! You really can’t go wrong with joy and I pray that God will show up in ways unexpected to bless you and fill you with His JOY this Christmas and in the New Year.
Blessings and sparkles!
Thanks Marva, I’m looking forward to how God has me see and experience joy in 2017!
Yea for the joy year!!!
Yea, indeed! I’m looking forwards to finding joy!
JOY is such a beautiful word for your year! It was mine in 2015, and God taught me so much. Have you read the book “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp? It’s about the little gifts from God sprinkled throughout our days that we often overlook. I must say, it was a wonderful guide on my journey to discovering more joy! <3
Thanks, I’ve found so much wisdom and joy already, even in the most unlikely places. Love #FindingJoy and others looking for it as well!