24 Days Until 2020

The 2019 calendar is tipping ever closer to the end. If you have been in my life for any amount of time you know that a few years ago I began doing something that has been profound for me. At the end of the year I begin praying and asking God to give me a word or phrase for the upcoming year that will be a guidepost, an anchor, for my walk and my heart when life hits. It's a connection point, a reminder that God sees and knows me and nothing catches Him by surprise.

I have spent 48 "perfect" weeks in the Bible. Thank you, YouVersion Bible App for speaking my love language with words of affirmation of my daily time in the Word.

Preaching, teaching, having new experiences, spending time with family and friends, and dealing with real life stuff has been my year and I am sure many of you have walked similar roads (maybe not preaching but, maybe!).

My word for 2019 has been STRENGTH. And you know what? I reminded myself of it OFTEN! HA!

This week I have spent time asking God for my 2020 word. As I was sitting at my desk yesterday a certain word just came alive in my heart. I have to admit, though. I did question it. It seems so obvious and easy and I didn't want to miss what God was really trying to say to me...and then I looked to my left and saw it sitting on my desk. Like for the past couple of weeks the word has been all over but this week it has been prominent in my life from devotions to sermons and more. And when I tell you what it is you'll understand why I wanted to be sure that this is really the word God was giving me. BUT as I started driving home from the office another word came to mind. Actually, it sort of coupled with the first word and literally almost cried asking the Lord if this year is a phrase. Both words are representative of things I fight for in life and believe must be priority for all of us but if I am honest, the second one puts me on my heels as a wife, mom and pastor...is it really possible? Can it even really be feasible? Will people understand? Do expectations of me provide for this to be something?

Joy

in

resting.

For months the importance of a time, a day, of rest in the week (you know...a Sabbath?) has been a prominent theme in my face from podcasts I listen to and even in my devotions. The idea of developing a practice of rest is important and I am seeing more and more the value of having this time set aside on a regular (goal is weekly) basis where I can just be and not do; a time to be with my family, myself, my Creator. The struggle for me is that when I think about doing it seems so selfish or anti-social and I become intimidated by the thought. I think that's why the first word God gave me is joy.

The definition of joy: noun a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Similar: delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, happiness Opposite: misery, despair, trial, tribulation

verb LITERARY: rejoice.

I believe that God desires there to be intentional times of rest and where doubt, fear, and insecurity are let go of! Rest is meant to refresh, replenish, reconnect, rejuvenate. Rest is meant to restore. And there is nothing miserable or despairing about that at all! No. Rest is delightful and I can take time to rejoice in rest.

Of course you know that I also think this means that this year could be a struggle to find the rest so God is giving me the head's up now to be sure and be intentional in it!

Have a great weekend!