Maybe I'm old, but I swear it feels like we were just ushering in 2000! The past few years have flown by way to quickly. When we were kids celebrating the new year was filled with shouts of cheers and an excitement for what the new year may bring. We jumped up and down and cheered along with Dick Clark as the ball (or apple) fell. When you're young, life seems to move at a slower pace. Some of my favorite memories as a child is receiving the brightly colored hats and tiaras from my grandparents night out dancing. Of course, we were given the wonderful noise makers too. We loved pretending we were out dancing ringing in the new year. Both my grandparents have since passed on, but their memories live in my heart.
Now as an older adult (middle aged could be used to describe me and I'm not sure how or when that happened), I look ahead at the years to come and the years that have passed and realize that I have more years in the past than I might have in the future. A sobering fact to come to terms with.
As we age, we get sentimental, long for the good old days, and realize that life goes by faster than we thought. We look at our lives and realize what truly matters. Our families and the time we get to spend with them.
This year, I am joining in on choosing a word for 2016. This is my first year searching for a word. I have to tell you it's not an easy thing to do. I thought hard and prayed even harder about it and finally came up with my word. Courage.
Courage
~ the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery
~ to act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially in spite of criticism
Courage seems like a easy word to choose, but it's a hard word to follow. How many times do we need courage and lack it? How often do we give up, become defeated, and filled with pain. It takes strength and courage to stay strong in our daily battles. Every day we are faced with challenges, some come from the outside world, some from our Christian faith, and some from our own families. So my goal this year is to stand up for what is right. Stand up to those that do wrong and encourage them to follow the right path. Stand up and face those that bully and degrade others. I want my kids to see a strong mother willing to fight for what is right. A mother that follows Christ and leads others to him.
We need to trust in Him and have no fear.
I know in the upcoming year, I am going to face a few challenges that will need courage. I hope I can faith these difficulties with grace, fairness, and courage. I ask for your prayers throughout the year.
What is your word for 2016?
Be sure to stop by the Schoolhouse Review Crew to see what words my friends have chosen!
You can read all about it here.
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Monique, I will pray for you this year. I like to make little reminders so I can remember, so everytime my husband vacuums (which he is doing as I read this, and believe it or not, he does regularly), I will remember to pray for you. May God grant you courage for whatever it is you face. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteGreat word!! May God give you his courage throughout the year!
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved your quote with courage and the quiet voice...so true. I understand the difficulty with choosing a word.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great choice! I'll pray for you to have courage in your heart, and for your children to learn from your example.
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