Believe

My Word of the Year for 2019…BELIEVE!

It’s the end to another year, the last day of 2018. I’ve been anticipating this day and looking forward to the fresh start of another year. It’s a little silly to be wishing our lives away like that but when a challenging year strikes it always seems like the best and most productive thing to do is to begin again. Although I have actually had a productive year and in that I’m talking about the major accomplishment of FINISHING, first time ever, MY PRAYER JOURNAL. Yep, it only took two years almost to the day. And let me also add that I have traveled around quite a bit this year. I started out in New Mexico and ended in New Mexico, with in between stops to Memphis, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia, Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina and all the states in between that I had to drive through. I even got to stop in and spend the night with Aunt Ruby in Okolona, Mississippi.

But most importantly when I talk about a productive year I am really meaning my growth and in growth I mean “spiritual” growth. This past year has been so strengthening for my walk with Christ. I have dug deeper into the Word of God and have actually let myself trust the process more. I’ve given God the reigns to my life and let him lead the way. He’s always had control of it but I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I was born on purpose, for his purpose, and the only way to fulfill that is to let him have his way with my life. It’s still a struggle but little by little I am letting go and letting God do what he wants to do with me. I am a mess but God uses our messy selves to work things out the way he sees fit.

Last year I participated in the Word of The Year idea and chose the word “beginnings”. Funny that I chose that word but even funnier that I had forgotten that I picked it. But as I look back on 2018 I see that I had all kinds of beginnings. I began learning to paint rocks. Which led to me learning to paint on turtle shells. Which led me to learn to paint on canvas with acrylics. Which then led me to learn to paint with watercolors. Which led me to realize that I have a long way to go to learn the whole paint process. Which led me to collect rocks from Lake Superior. Which led me to beginning to study rocks. Which led me to take my painting supplies on the road with me while I’m staying in our fifth wheel. Which then led me learn to give my paintings away. Which then led me to beginning to sell my art. Which then led me to begin putting my art and other treasures into a flea market. I can go on and on about all the things I began this year. I explored my creative side to the point of draining it lol. But the one thing I didn’t begin was to begin giving up when things didn’t work in my favor. I’ve never been a quitter, except in my first marriage and that was after a loooooooooooong battle, and so in those moments when I couldn’t figure out which paint brush to use or how hard to apply pressure, I just stayed the course until completion.

Another beginning I experienced was the beginning of letting what others think of me sail right out the window and caring only what God thinks of me. I do slip up from time to time but that’s one of those baby step areas that need constant work.

Another beginning for me was to see the bigger picture of what’s most important and look up instead of the chaos that is taking place in our world.

I “began” an online Bible study group and in the group we decided to the participate in the Word of the Year for 2019 and although I thought it would take awhile to decide on my word, after weeks of praying on the subject it hit me like a lead balloon. My word for 2019 is…BELIEVE.

As I close out my last post of the year, I want you, my readers, to take the time to cherish those in your life who matter the most and to spend time with others and less time on your phones and social media. See new places, do new things…most of all live your BEST life and be a blessing to others in love and in inspiration. We are only here for a short time so make your time count. You were created on purpose. Don’t forget that. Follow your GPS (God’s Protection System) and take it step by step, listening to His voice and let Him guide your life.

Happy New Year 2019!

Kelly