2018 The New
Year—New Word--Thrive
We know words are powerful and life giving; they can also be
hurtful. At the beginning of 2017, I
encouraged the people of Ascension to choose a word that would help guide them
through the year. I know some people
chose words like balance, faith, love, patience, hope. The word I chose was commit.
At the beginning of 2017, I was still recovering from the
illness that had me in the hospital for 5 days and dealing with some of the
issues surrounding that. I had realized
that the pain I had been experiencing had been going on probably for weeks and
I had just been ignoring and working. I
had too much to do, at least in my mind to take time out to deal with my
health, or anything else. So as I chose
the word “commit” I also set my goals—which including saying yes or no as is
appropriate, setting personal boundaries and not just doing what people want me
to do to avoid conflict and to address some areas of leadership and focus on
worship leadership.
I also set goals relating to finances, friends and family,
recreation and physical well-being.
As I reflect back on 2017, I did ok. I didn’t fully achieve the goals I wanted,
but in some ways I made some good strides.
I continue to work on them, and as I begin 2018, believe that I will
continue my goals, but I’m going to change my word.
My word for 2018 will be THRIVE. I believe life is more about thriving than
surviving. In some ways, this past year
was about surviving for me, getting what needed to be done done. But I want my life to be more than mere
survival, yet I am sure there will be days that is my goal. I want to THRIVE in life. To exceed expectations when appropriate and
when I can. To make decisions and
choices that aren’t just good ideas but truly impact whatever it is
improving.
So for my goals, I am going to work on thriving in my:
- Physical/Spiritual and Emotional life: getting sleep, setting boundaries, get to walking more (got to get in shape for Houston!), and eating health
- Finances: become debt free—which got off course when I decided to update my house last year. Decreasing eating out and impulse shopping. Continue to tithe or above.
- Friends/Family: Pay attention to these relationships. Honor them. Care and train for Bailey as she is in her first year of life.
- Recreation: Read 25 books for fun this year, take vacation, use some day offs for day trips around Michigan and enjoy this state that has much to offer. Get back to quilting and sewing.
- Vocational with congregation: Work on leading more than managing, continue to trust the leadership structure and keep our hope and goals always in mind, work with the four ministries to THRIVE.
What will your word be for 2018?
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.
Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
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