Happy New Year! How is your hunt going for your word for this new year? Has that word chosen you yet? Sometimes your word chooses you!
About mid-December, I begin to dream and wonder what my word and focus for the next year might be. For the past few years I have chosen a word of the year:
For 2018 it was unstoppable. I got the opportunity later that year to be part of InterVarsity Fellowship’s Urbana18 as a prayer and care coordinator for the operations team , a huge 10,000 student mission conference. God knew.
For 2019, my word was be present – that was the year, during a photoshoot with my family, I realized my grandchildren were growing up way too fast. I needed to be intentional about building relationships with them in as many ways as possible.
My word for 2020 was prepare. I felt it was such a strange word. What was I to prepare or even to prepare for? Now looking back I see that 2020 certainly had much preparing in it – preparing for a different lifestyle altogether.
What about you?
Have you been choosing a word of the year? What does looking back tell you about past practices? How does a word of the year help focus your thinking and feeling?
What is your word now as you begin to explore? How could it shape your first 90 days? I hope you will take the time to ponder what your focus is and how you want to approach it. Spend time in prayer and enjoy the answers that you get.
God says,
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
After the year we have just had, it can be challenging to not be fearful or discouraged. The ease at which we see other family members has been extremely challenged. As I reflect back though, I realize my own quest to be a more connected, wise and creative grandparent began back at the end of 2018, with the photoshoot you see above. I wanted to be more connected with my family. It can be done, even with the challenges of social distancing and mask-wearing.
The word I feel that chose me for 2021 is curious. I am curious about where we are going in 2021. I am curious about how life in 2021 may be different. The word curious came across my radar so many times in December. Now I am curious to see where God will lead in 2021.
Part of my curiosity will focus on working and supporting grandparents. I would love for those of you who are grandparents to join me as we begin to explore what The Grand Journey of grandparenting could look like, especially in a community of support. I believe each of us as grandparents are looking for ways to creatively and wisely connect with our grandchildren, especially in challenging times like we have been experiencing.
When you choose your word of the year, you may just be surprised at what pops up. Here’s to 2021!
Nancy Booth is a life coach and spiritual director who supports grandparents on The Grand Journey to connect creatively and wisely with their grandchildren. She sees grandparents building intentional relationships with their children and grandchildren “for such a time as this.” She creates community groups, retreats and courses to support, encourage and inspire grandparents to make those intentional connections as their quest. Email her at nancy@nancyboothcoaching.com to get involved or receive weekly blogs. .