Allie Pleiter on 2019 Word--then what?

Many of us mark the dawn of a new year by choosing a word to set the theme for the coming 12 months. I’ve done so for the past several years, and some of our authors have already shared theirs on this blog.

This year, my word is “STEADFAST,” and its sister-word, “STEADY.”

What then? Once a word has found you—for a truly believe the word chooses you as much as you choose the word—what do you do? I’ll share what I do, and hope you’ll share what you do.

First, since I believe God sends me the right word for the year, I ask Him to bless my exploration of it. I pray for eyes to see the lessons it has to teach me, and to see the many places it inevitably shows up in my life once it is chosen.

As a woman of faith, the Bible is my first discovery ground. Steadfast shows up in scores of verses. Here are a few of my favorites:

2 Chronicles 27:6

Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God (emphasis mine)

Psalm 112:7

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

A dive into the dictionary brought me lots of motivating synonyms: 

• resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering
• even and continuous in development
• moving without deviation from course

And the insightful fact that “steady” is also a verb and an exclamation.

Then I always wander through Pinterest, building a board from the images I collect there. This often unearths new quotes, pictures, and sometimes even products. For example, did you know what there are artisans who will make you jewelry with your word for the year? Or that there is a beloved fairy tale called The Steadfast Tin Soldier?

I wasn’t surprised to discover that the heroine for my upcoming July book, Wander Canyon Courtship, finds the hero particularly steadfast. I always think our creative selves know things before our conscious minds do.

What will make this a “steadfast” year? I don’t yet know. But I’m excited to find out.

Have you chosen a word for 2019? Do you do any of these explorations or have some new ones to suggest?

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

HERE WE GO - 2019 LOOK OUT! by Valerie Hansen

A new calendar year is upon us. That division of days, of years, is man's idea. God, the infinite time-keeper, gives us newness of life daily. The instant we open our eyes we know we are about to begin another blessed day and the older I get, the more it astonishes me. 

Apparently Charles Schulz felt the same because his work lends itself so perfectly to the truth that I embrace. Each and every second of our lives is precious. Looking back, I can pick out some of the special moments, yet I know there are many more that I have overlooked simply because I am human. Even in the darkest times, God is there. He gives us more than life, He gives us hope, and love, and joy despite circumstances. Yes, it can be hard to see sometimes, but that doesn't mean it's gone. Dig deep. Trust much. Call out to God. Praise Jesus. And live the life he has given you. It's the best gift anyone has ever gotten.

I have a new book coming in Feb. 2019 and several more after that. God willing.