In with the new...

Last year I started what I hoped would become a yearly tradition by choosing one little word to focus on for the year.  I loved my pick and even after a year of perking up every time I heard the word, memorizing scripture about it, and occasionally delving into some intense study on it, I still feel like I will never fully know the rich meaning of the word "hope".  Especially as it pertains to Christ.  But  it's a new year and that means a new word...

I've been praying that God would give me a word that He wants me to focus on.  I've been listening intently for words that get me excited and feel like they apply to me.  And after making a long list of words filled with potential, only one continued to stand out...

Maybe it stood out because it's another Christmas-y word...  Or maybe it's because I've been so happy lately I've started pinching myself on a regular basis to make sure I'm not dreaming.  Or perharps it's because I get to look at a sweet little face filled with pure joy every day.  Either way, I choose joy.  My hope this year is to be intentional with my word.  I hope to study it and learn more about it and practice it daily.  

When I chose my word last year, I was filled with hope.  Hope that 2011 would be different.  Hope that Nate and I would learn how to love each other more.  Hope that something better was in our future.  And that "something better" showed up.  It showed it up in being blessed with a career that Nate loves.  It showed up in an 8 lb 7 oz baby boy.  It showed up in our prayers and our worship.  It gave us great joy.  Not just happiness; joy.

I'm excited to learn about this one little word.  I'm excited to practice it on days that suck (because they are inevitable).  I'm excited to figure out what it means to include God in the happiest of moments when I'm tempted to think I don't need Him.  I'm excited to study God's word and find out what He has to say about joy.  And as I grow in knowledge and understanding, maybe I will be able to put better words to what I'm witnessing these days.

Pure Joy.