Tag: one word

My Word of the Year: Refresh

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jeremiah 31:25)

Each year, I choose a word for the year. For over a decade, instead of creating resolutions that I know I won’t keep, I’ve chosen a word to focus on throughout the year. The only time I haven’t chosen a word was last year. I was never able to settle on one that seemed right, and before I knew it, the year had moved along, and it seemed like it was too late to choose one.

That’s not the case this year. This year, my word came to me just as the calendar turned to 2025. That word is refresh. According to the online dictionary, refresh means “give new strength or energy to.” Continue reading “My Word of the Year: Refresh” →

Create: My Word for 2021

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers” (Ex 35:35).

I haven’t made New Year’s resolutions in a long time. Instead, I choose a word for the year. I use this word to focus on an area of my life where I believe the Lord wants to make changes or have me grow. I’ve chosen words such as “trust,” “focus,” “compassion,” and “bold.” Last year, my word was “renew.” As 2020 began, I felt burned out. I had no idea how much I would need renewal as the year (and the pandemic) wore on.

This year, God revealed my word to me more slowly than usual. I often have my word for the year in November, or the first week of January at the latest. We were halfway through January before I felt comfortable with the word that kept coming to mind: “create.” Continue reading “Create: My Word for 2021” →

Renew: My Word of the Year

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30 NIV).

It’s been many years since I created New Year’s resolutions. Instead, through much prayer and research, I choose a word for the year. Over the years, I’ve chosen words such as “trust,” “focus,” and “compassion.” For the last two years, my word was “bold.” I kept a journal of instances where I could see God moving boldly in my life. Throughout it all, he used the word to push me out of my comfort zone so that I depended more on him and less on others. Continue reading “Renew: My Word of the Year” →

Bold: My Word of the Year (Again)

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9)

It’s been many years since I set New Year’s resolutions. Because I got off track by the end of January, setting resolutions made me feel like a failure. I wanted to change and grow, but I didn’t know how. Continue reading “Bold: My Word of the Year (Again)” →

Hope in the New Year

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17)

The new year is a time of renewal, when the rolling over of the calendar brings the opportunity for a fresh start. The slate has been wiped clean, and we all have a chance to write a new story – our story – and make it the best story we can in the coming year. We can leave behind the regrets and mistakes of the previous year. The new year brings something the old year no longer has – hope. Hope for a different outcome, hope that things will be better, hope that relationships will be restored, hope that Jesus will make things right. Continue reading “Hope in the New Year” →