New Year, New Word.

Here it is again. 2021. A New Year.  I’m not a resolution maker but I did enjoy having a word for the year last year.  Last year’s word was GENTLE and it helped me through many rough spots.  (If you want to read that blog and see how GENTLE became my word and what it meant, please take a peak at my old blog GENTLE written in 12/2019)

After having such a great word for the past year, I started thinking about what my word would be this year. A million words popped into my head. Love, peace, kindness, fortitude, attitude, persistence, graciousness, and on and on.  None of them seemed to be “my word”.

Then it started…

On New Year’s morning, Good Morning America featured the singing group For King & Country.  They sang a great song (Joy) and it was so stirring that I looked it up on YouTube later that day and watched it again. And then again.  I loved their energy in the performance and that drew me to it.  I really wasn’t thinking about the song title. Yet.

Later that day, I received a text message from a longtime family friend. Her message said she was praying for JOY for Bob and me this coming year.  The light bulb went off.  Is JOY my word?

So today I opened my daily devotional for caregivers and turned to today’s reading. What is the heading?  JOY IN THE MORNING.  Flash! I’m now convinced that JOY is my word.

I will be joyful in the Lord.  I will be joyful in my life.  I will be joyful in being a caregiver. I will be joyful in being a wife. I will be joyful in my dealings with family, friends, and neighbors.  I will be joyful with strangers. And when I am not able to muster up that joy, I will remember that JOY is my word.  I know God has given me this word for a reason and He will remind me of it frequently.

Each and every day, God will give me something that will be a sign or a hint that He is taking care of me and that will be my reminder to be joyful. 

Yes, I am choosing JOY!