**Link up YOUR Word of the Year posts below!!**

I struggled for a word this year…I almost didn’t want to even do the “word of the year” at all. I always start off strong and the 2nd half of the year there is nothing on my blog even discussing the word of the year anymore. 🙂

But, just because I’ve not been consistent in the past, is that a reason not to try again?

In praying and asking God where and what He wants from me, I kept coming back to a few very distinct words and themes…

Intentional

Purposeful

Goals

Follow-Through

Discipline 

These are in lots of areas…my physical health, our homeschool, my faith walk, my home, my family…all of these areas need me to be more purposeful and more disciplined. At the same time, I almost chose the word GRACE because I know that without His grace, I can accomplish NONE of what He has for me. In the end, I decided to take a leap of faith and go with a word that doesn’t fit ME at ALL. I feel like the opposite of self-discipline most days. Just being honest with y’all.

I also asked God for a verse to go with my word/theme…He is so faithful to provide! I love this verse He led me to SO much!!

In Exodus 9, God is speaking to Moses, He is telling him what to tell Pharaoh. I can relate to Moses…I often feel so inadequate for what He has called me to do and to live, yet as I read these words {actually given to Moses to speak to Pharaoh} I know that He has raised me up for this purpose as well.

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16

There are so many things centered around the word “purposeful” that I need to focus on!

• What is my purpose at this stage in life?
• What is the purpose for this blog?
• How can I be more purposeful in my homeschool?
• Can I actually follow through on a few goals each month?
• I want to be more disciplined ~ and purposeful ~ in my prayer life.
• I want to be more intentional with our school time in the mornings.

If you’ve never chosen a word of the year, I encourage you to spend some time praying and thinking about your goals for 2014. Choosing a word is a lot easier to handle than a list of resolutions. And, even if you’re like me, and never post about it again on your blog, God can still do a mighty work in your life centered around this theme and this word…He is faithful!

I also encourage you to pick up the book My One Word, which I talked more about here. But it is an excellent book to give you some encouragement and practical help for going through the year with your word!! I’m pulling mine back out again and re-reading it!

Please link up your word of the year posts below, and take a few moments to see what everyone else is striving towards in the New Year!!

Happy New Year, friends!