In Others’ Words: Choosing One Word for 2017
Are you ready to talk about your One Word for 2017? I am!
This is my twelfth year to focus on one word. An even dozen. Wow. And once again, I have to admit that I was wondering “Where’s my One Word for 2017?” Most years I’ve known what my One Word was going to be by August or September, but the last two years October has loomed without a One Word in sight.
I discovered my One Word for 2017 a few nights ago. But before I tell you what that word is, here’s my annual recap of my One Word in years past:
2006: gratitude – I kept a gratitude journal and found my “glass-half-empty” attitude revolutionized.
2007: simplify – A severe illness turned this word into survival. I embraced simpler things in ways I never imagined.
2008: content – as in “be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5) I bought a lot less that year!
2009 & 2010: forgiveness – I had a lot to learn and unlearn about forgiveness.
2011: hope – A word I clung to when life hurt or when my heart ached for others who were hurting. There were times I could have asked “Why?” Instead, I asked myself, “Are you going to abandon hope?” My answer: No.
2012: trust – During a year of change, I faced doubting versus trusting — and chose to trust. I also began posting trust quotes on my Facebook page to encourage myself and others.
2013: confidence – I feel so much stronger emotionally after keeping my heart and mind set on “not throwing away my confidence.” (Hebrews 10:35-36) And yes, I continued the tradition of posting confidence quotes on my FB page.
2014: think – I tried to anchor my thinking to truth more and more, rather than letting my thoughts go wandering.
2015: collaborate – to work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something. Synonyms: co-operate, join forces, team up, band together, work together, participate, combine, ally.
2016: prosper – to act wisely, as in “And David was acting wisely (prospering) in all his ways for the LORD was with him.” 1 Samuel 18 14. This word stayed with me all through the past year as I confronted a lot of major (and minor) decisions.
My word for 2017 is: inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6 (NIV) says: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
At times I’ve talked negatively about my inheritance. Not the one I’ve received from God, no. But there can be emotional “inheritances” that carry down from generation to generation within families … some good, some harmful. Last Thursday night as I battled insomnia, I reached for one of the Scripture verse cards I keep stacked on my bedside table. The verse I read was Psalm 16:5-6, and the word “inheritance” seemed to be written in bright, bold letters.
I’m excited to see what God wants to teach me about the inheritance He has for me.
In Your Words: If you chose a word for 2016, how has that one word changed you? What’s your one word for 2017 — or are you still thinking about it?
In Others’ Words: Choosing One Word for 2017 #InOthersWords #OneWord #inheritance
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“Lord you alone are my portion and my cup … surely I have a delightful inheritance.” #Psalm 16…
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