2021 Word of the Year

It has become my custom to pray at the end of each year for God to give me a word that will carry me through the next. I began doing this sort of on a whim, not really sure I understood or believed in a purpose but more out of curiosity. What I found was that I would be reminded of the word, or that the word would remind me maybe, that God had a plan and He had been preparing me.

No fear, courage, unexpected, strength, joy in rest...these have been the words the Lord has given me over the past few years. I can look back on each one and tell you about things that happened during those years that those words were the preface for.

As 2020 draws to a close and I spend a bit of time reflecting on the good, the bad and ugly of it all, I can smile as I see His leading of “joy in rest.” Who else but God could have seen what this year would bring and get in December of 2019 He told me, “joy in rest.”

Now I look ahead at 2021 and I have been praying about the word that will shape it for me. I have to be honest. I actually prayed several times about this one...assuming it was more wishful thinking that the Holy Spirit. But even as I prayed, the confirmations surrounded me in various ways that this word is for me, for my 2021.

Those who look to him are radiant with joy;

their faces will never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:5

What word is God speaking to you this year?