A lot of people pick New Year’s resolutions to follow each year. Those are all well and good, but they tend to not work for me. I much prefer to select one word to focus on.

The last few years, I’ve done this and enjoyed looking back at the results. Two years ago, I selected the word “Rejoice.” And in reflecting on 2013, I realized how much God gave me to rejoice in.

Last year, I selected the word “Lean” for 2014. And it’s definitely been a year of learning to lean on the Lord in both my professional and personal life.

First, I submitted and revised — and revised again — my book for publication. This takes a lot of courage and generally can come with a lot of questioning and self-doubt (fellow writers will back me up on this!). I had to lean on God a lot to get me through that and trust He would help me to do my absolute best.

Second, I got pregnant. I’ve known a lot of friends who have miscarried, and the fear has been paramount in my mind. Even now as I’m weeks away from delivering our first child, I have to lean on God and put any worrisome thoughts from my mind. It’s a choice — and I’m choosing to lean on Him, come what may.

In thinking about what’s coming up in 2015, the words “flexible” and “molded” kept coming to my mind. I know that sooooo much is about to change in my life: namely, I’m going to become a mother, which means I’ll have to start juggling that role with being a wife, a part-time employee, an author, an online instructor, and much more.

That means there will be a lot of opportunity to make choices between selfishness and selflessness, between getting done what I wanted to and getting done only what I CAN do. Time will be limited and time will fly by. I don’t want to miss a moment of my little guy’s life or chances to be there for him. But I also want to keep advancing in my career and the goals I have for my life.

Essentially, it’s going to be quite the balancing act. And I need some guidance.

I’ve been meditating on this verse lately:

“Yet You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

So, my One Word for 2015 is CLAY.

When I’m confused about what path to follow or tempted to be selfish with my time, I want my focus — especially this year — to be on asking the Lord what HE would have me do. After all, He’s the potter. He knows who He wants me to be.

I just have to be willing to listen.

And when I do, I’ll be the most beautiful pot I can be — even if that pot looks nothing like I thought it would when I made up my goals and to-do list.

What about you? Do you have a word for 2015 or a New Year’s resolution you’re determined to follow? 


*Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net