One Word 2021

Welcome to 2021! I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that 2020 is now behind us. It was definitely a tough year. 

For many people, seeing the calendar change to January 1st means a chance to reset. To start over. To set new goals. To make lists of things you want to accomplish this year.
 
Back in 2015, instead of making lists and resolutions, I decided to focus on ONE WORD for the entire year.  

 This simple act was so impactful that every January since then I’ve picked a new word to focus on.
 
Here are the words I’ve chosen in the past.

2015: Obey
2016: Share    
2017: Look 
2018: Connect 
2019: Contentment
2020: Speak  

Last year I chose “speak” because I wanted to use the voice God gave me to help and encourage others. While He did give me opportunities to do that, what I discovered is that God also wanted to speak to me. He used all the weeks / months during quarantine and isolation to remind me that no matter what happens, He is still in control and that He still loves me and cares about me.
 
Each year, when choosing a new word to focus on, I always pray about it. Sometimes it takes me weeks to choose a word. This time, though, a word immediately came to mind.
 
My word for 2021 is HOPE.
 
When I looked up the definition of hope it said: “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust.”
 
Over the years, I’ve heard the song O Holy Night countless times. It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs, but this year, whenever I heard it, these lyrics would always jump out at me: “A thrill of hope. A weary world rejoices.”
 
Even though this song was written in the 1800s, these lyrics seem so relevant right now. The birth of Jesus caused a weary world to rejoice and to have hope. In the midst of our heartache, disappointment, and exhaustion, we still can have hope because of Jesus.
 
For those of us who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, our faith reminds us that this world is temporary.

We have a unique purpose to fulfill during our days on Earth, but our eternal home will be with God in heaven. Revelation 21:4 tells us that pain, sadness, sickness, and death will no longer exist. Keeping this in perspective gives me hope.

​Here are a few things I’m hoping for in 2021....
 
I hope the pandemic will soon end.
 
I hope our country will become more united.
 
I hope to spend more time with friends and family.
 
I hope that better days are ahead.
 
I hold onto hope because I trust the One who is holding me.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 
What’s your One Word for 2021?

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Here’s my One Word bracelet for 2021 from MudLOVE. You can create your own custom-made bracelet by clicking here.

*Every item purchased through MudLOVE provides a week of safe, clean water to someone in need.  

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