“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom 12:12)

As 2019 ends and a new year (and new decade) begins, I like to look back at the events and lessons of the previous year. I’ve mentioned before in this blog that I think it’s important to reflect on the past in order to move forward. Usually, this means a year-end evaluation of my goals or my word of the year.

This time, I’m trying something a little different. Recently, I read about choosing three words to summarize the year. While the article was written for married couples, I took away some important information that could apply more broadly to my own life.

My three words for 2019 are as follows:

• Perseverance. When my mom broke her kneecap in September and had surgery a month later, a friend used “perseverance” to describe our situation. We had no idea when she would have full use of her knee again, and the surgeon hesitated to give an estimate. He didn’t want to be held to it, I’m sure, when things didn’t happen according to schedule. And so the situation seemed to drag on, with follow up after follow up and physical therapy appointment after physical therapy appointment. While my mom is doing well, she still hasn’t been released to go back to work. But with prayer and the support of good friends, we are persevering, and we know a full recovery is in sight.
• Bold. For the last two years, I’ve chosen “bold” as my word for the year. I saw it manifest most strongly in the first five months of this year as I led the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. (OWFI) as the 2109 president. Through this experience, I grew as a leader, gained confidence, developed lifelong friendships, and learned to make bold choices.
• Hope. I’m not sure if he knows it, but my dad came up with this one. He found a garden statue that stated, “Hope: Hang On, Possibilities Exist.” Many times this year, hope has seemed far away. But we pressed forward, relying on our knowledge of God and his faithfulness to believe—to hope—that better days are ahead. And as the year ends, I can say that our hope has not been misplaced.

A look back helps me focus on the positive outcomes from an otherwise dreary, trying year. As I move into 2020, I’m praying for a new word. Something positive and hopeful that will give me the proper perspective and a new direction in which to focus. When I have that word, I’ll share it with you all.

If you could think of three words to describe your 2019, what would they be?

Dear Jesus, thank you for showing me the positive things from 2019: the ability to persevere, to be bold, and to have hope in spite of difficult circumstances. Help me to carry these lessons into the new decade and to continue to grow. Amen.