Hi friends!
Happy Wednesday. I’m excited to spend a little bit of today with you. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year.
I know it’s that time of year when many of us make New Year’s resolutions, goals, vision boards, and so much to strive for to make this year the year you get (fill in the blank).
I’m very much the same. I have my list. But I hear God telling me to put it away. I couldn’t figure out why.
Why wouldn’t God want me to make this the year I start exercising regularly and eating healthy? Perhaps your goal is to get organized by planning on keeping your house perfect—everything in its place.
Perhaps your goals are far different and focus more on writing goals. You want to write a book, finish your current manuscript, sign with an agent, or hopefully get published.
These are amazing goals. As a writing coach and mentor, I receive more clients in the first month of the year than throughout the rest of the year. Everyone is ready to take that next step, and I love joining them on their journey. I see my clients win major contests, four sign with agents, and three sign publishing contracts. It brings me the greatest joy to see them take off and fly.
So, why would God tell me to put my lists away (you know, that magical list of brain dumps and then turn them into TO Dos?)? There is so much I want to accomplish this year, but that’s the very point, He whispered.
And, then I got it. There’s so much I want to accomplish. Goals I want to pursue. Changes I want to make. Even if I prayed about these items, I was praying for what I wanted and what I thought was best.
If the last four months since our house flooded from Hurricane Helene, we lost 95% of our belongings, two cars and are still displaced from our home and getting ready to move into our third Airbnb, you’d think if I’d learned anything this year it is God’s great provision. He’s provided through sweet friends who set up GoCare Funds, with whom we wouldn’t have been able to pay for our temporary housing, and people are sending gifts off our Amazon wish list to help refurbish our home. It’s been like sitting in the front seat of a miracle. And I think that’s why God is telling me to stay still. To sit back and watch how He provides for us and the miracles He creates.
This is the year for my goals to take a back seat, watch, and listen to the Lord take the front seat.
Interestingly enough, the one thing I feel impressed on my heart is to still have a word of the year to focus on, and it’s the word God laid on my heart. I thought it would be the word ‘still,’ but God surprised me once again. The word of this year is peace. And I pray for peace for you and all the plans that lie ahead—all the brave goals, courageous moves, healthy changes, and words to dwell on for the rest of the year.
What is one thing that lies ahead for you this year? A dream, a healthy change, a word of the year?
Blessings,
Dani
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Hi, Dani. My word for 2025 is “Simplify.” I’m still working through what that looks like practically, but I’m tired of always feeling overwhelmed and playing catch up, and I don’t even have a published book yet! I want to enjoy each day and find pockets of rest, not work into the evening and even on the weekends. I’m ready for a change!
I hope you have an amazing year. And I pray you get back into your home soon! What a whirlwind you’ve been on!
Oh. That’s a great word, Deena! I’m always feeling overwhelmed too.
Thanks so much. Praying a year of simplicity and rest for you.
I don’t usually ask the Lord for a word for the year, but last year I felt Him nudging me to reconnect with the writing community–I took steps toward that, but He did so much more than I imagined! This year, I’ve felt the nudge of writing–that is, giving it priority over some other good things. Like last year, I know if I move toward obedience in that, He will do with my small effort so much more than I can imagine. So I get the letting go of lists and letting God do what He will do! I pray for deep peace for you this year!
Aww. Thanks so much, D’Ann. Praying a wonderful writing year for you.
I know there is a big change coming in my life in June. I don’t know how it will all play out but I believe God is in charge of it. I kept thinking of the Bible and the year of Jubilee (for what is to come) and then I took one of those quizzes to find out what your word of the year is, and “abide” was the word and then another author posted her word was “jubilee” so I’m going with both words for this year.
I love both words! Praying for a wonderful change in June.
My word of the year is Transformation.
Last year’s word didn’t match the year we had, so I hope I picked the right one this year.
I love that! What a great word. I’ll be praying it fits this year for you. Miss our breakfasts.
Dani, you are such an inspiration. Truly, I pray that if I ever face a year like the one you’ve been through that I can do so with such grace and faith and selflessness. Keeping you in my prayers and grateful for your friendship.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Deb. Thankful for your friendship :))
Such a good post. I don’t have a word for this year, but I do have a verse: Proverbs 31:25, especially the latter part: “she smiles at the future.” 2024 was a hard year for me as for many others, you included. I have a lot of fears for the future, but I want to be a woman who takes those fears to the Lord and trust Him with them, and as I do that, learn to smile at the future because He is sovereign and He is good, no matter what 2025 brings.
A verse is a wonderful thing to focus on and pray over for the year. Love it. I’m so sorry you had a difficult year. Praying this one is much better and you feel God’s presence.
Great post, Dani. Praying for you and that you’ll be back in your home soon.
My word for 2025 is ABIDE.
John 15:4 KJV…Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.