“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”        Proverbs 16:3

Well, here we are again … crossing the threshold into another New Year. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would make New Year’s resolutions – lose 5 pounds, drink more water, exercise daily, eat better, and so on. You know how it goes. Generally, those resolutions lasted 4 to 6 weeks – maybe three months max – before they were pushed aside and forgotten.

Later, as an adult, I abandon those empty resolutions and adopted the practice of choosing a verse of scripture from the Bible for the year. Something to read and focus on throughout the year as a means of self-improvement. I liked the positive motivation I gained from my choice each year; however, I again found myself falling into a pattern of either choosing a similar verse each year or just relying on some of my favorites.

This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just wasn’t pushing me to branch out or stretch myself in new ways. That trend ran its course and I found myself in need of something different to find, set, and maintain my focus for self-improvement in each New Year. That’s when I came across the idea of choosing a word for the year. 

Just one word.

I love words. I love the challenge of finding just the right word. I love committing to that word and seeing how I can apply it to different aspects of my life using it in various contexts encouraging growth, reflection, and renewal. I feel like choosing just one-word challenges me to take action, engage, and apply that word and its meaning. 

In the past, a New Year’s word would just come to me and be my word. I just knew what I wanted it to be. Most recently, it was the word Intentional … for two years (I had a lot of work to do in that area apparently). Then, last year my word was Worth. I wanted to be cognizant of what is worth my time, energy, and resources. I also wanted to remind myself of my own worth.

Here I am again, faced with choosing just the right word – only one word. Some words I’ve considered include impact, value, identity, genuine, and I (I like the challenge of this short word that means so much). 

How about you? Have you made a resolution? Have you chosen a verse of scripture from the Bible? Have you chosen one word? 

Maybe you should consider it. Set yourself up for success in this New Year by finding your focus. 

You may be wondering which word I picked.

Present.

Present, as in here – fully here, in each and every moment with those around me. 

I am a thinker and I sometimes find it hard to keep my brain from moving on to my next idea. I am always thinking ahead it seems (or worrying about things that haven’t happened yet – I am really good at that). I can be present but mentally absent. I understand myself enough to know and acknowledge that I need to focus more on those around me. I need to engage more in the present. I need to be fully present so as not to miss the blessings given through those precious people in my life and those that God places in my path each day. 

To begin my exploration of this word and what it means to me in my life and work, I found some scriptures of support that give me a foundation for reflection and motivation in this new year:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”   Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”   Mathew 6:34 (NIV)

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”   James 4:14 (ESV)

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Here we are again crossing the threshold into another New Year. 

A New Year of opportunities. A year with open doors that are ours to close. 

What will you do with this gift of the present? 

What will keep you positive, focused, and motivated as you head into the unknown days, weeks, and months ahead?

Just one word may help you sort it out, accomplish your goals, and stretch you farther than you ever imagined.

Enjoy this New Year full of promise, hope, and possibility. Embrace the present. It is truly a gift!

Happy New Year! 

* Jon Gordon, speaker and author of The Power of Positive Leadership (along with numerous other books) is promotes the One Word Challenge. He co-authored a book about it – One Word that Will Change Your Life. I encourage you to accept the challenge. Choose your word and see how you can use it on your journey through this New Year. 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’ …  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:1-2 and 9-10

After Christmas, I like to leave my house decorated into the New Year. My husband is usually anxious to get it all cleaned up, but I always try to stretch it out a little more each year. I tell him I’m waiting for the wise men. (Truthfully, I enjoy the lights on the tree, the time of reflection, and the focus on all that is good, calm, and peaceful.) 

Going into this New Year, I am reflecting on the wise men and their journey. I tried to research how long it took them to find Jesus and how far they traveled. Since the recorded information is a bit vague there are many varying views. Some say it took them a couple of weeks or no more than two months. Some say they traveled 400 miles while others say 700 or 900. One person even tried to apply some additional logic saying that if the wise men only traveled at night which is when they would see the star then it would take them two and a half years for the journey. Wow. Lots of speculation but no one, clear answer. 

I don’t really need the answers. The meaning isn’t in the length of the journey or the time devoted to seeking. The meaning is the journey. It is the act of seeking. 

The wise men set out on a journey with an unknown destination focused on a star. They were devoted to following the star. Following it through the desert – no matter where it took them – so they could find their King. 

We each are a bit like the wise men. Out on a journey. Destination unknown. Following what we believe.

What we believe often appears most clear at Christmas. The world stops – or at least pauses – in various ways. The birth is acknowledged. But what happens, when the tree is gone, and the decorations are packed away?

Much like the wise men – we must follow that star! 

The wise men weren’t there for the birth. Their arrival was after the fanfare. But they maintained their focus. They stayed true to the cause – even across the desert. 

As we face the dawning of a New Year, let’s make a commitment to follow the star. Each day. Even through those desert days when we are fatigued and weary.

You might be thinking, “What star?”

You decide. What will keep you focused? What will keep you headed in the right direction toward meeting your King?

Is it more time spent in prayer? Is it becoming more active in church? Is it reading your Bible more? Is it devoting yourself to service? 

Before the Christmas lights are gone, while all is calm and all is bright, reflect on the past and leave It in the past. Set your sights on the future and the promise of each new day. 

Find your star.

Spend the New Year following that star and you, too, will be overjoyed!

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger …”                                                                                                   Luke 2:1-7

The scene is pretty much the same after each Christmas celebration and this year is likely to be no different. 

After hosting family gatherings on Christmas Day. We give out our last hugs and wave goodbye as each person drives out of sight. Returning to the family room and eyeing the spoils of the day I will say, “What a mess.”

Bags of torn paper from those once neatly wrapped gifts. Stacks of dishes in and around the sink with remnants of our feast. Who knows what dried on the counter and those mysterious spots on the floor. Extra chairs pushed about to accommodate all. Trash cans overflowing and random items left behind (a toy, a jacket, a gift that wouldn’t fit in the car). A new water ring on the table. What a mess.

All of that planning and preparing – the anticipation – and in a few hours it’s over leaving a mess to be cleaned. A good deal of time will be spent cleaning, rearranging, and putting things back in order. If I’m not careful, it will be easy to get lost in the tossed aside tinsel. To wonder if it’s all worth it. To focus on how tired I am and doubt that extra effort really made a difference. 

That first Christmas was pretty messy too. Everyone had to travel to their “own town” to register for the census. (Today ours is done electronically and we still find that challenging.) Throw into the story a young man with his betrothed who is pregnant. (Scandalous.) And then a manger as a baby bed. (Not an ideal setting, especially for our Savior.) What a mess. 

I am sure on more than one occasion Mary, Joseph, and their families thought, “But I had other plans … I thought this would be different … Is it worth it … What a mess.”

Over the years, I’ve learned to look past the messy and find the magic. The magic of family and friendships. The magic of time well spent in the company of loved ones. The magic of the laughter of the young and the smiles of the old. The magic seen through the eyes of child. The magic of the baby in the manger who came to save us. 

After reading Luke 2:1-7, look past the mess and find the magic – the miracle. The miracle revealed when the angel announced to the shepherds … “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)

Life for today is the same as long ago. We have to train ourselves to look past the mess, find the magic, and expect the miracles. The miracle found in a family reunited or a good medical report or the gift of another ordinary day. Miracles come in all shapes and sizes. All we have to do is listen and look. 

Today and every day – Embrace the mess. Find the magic. Expect the miracle. 

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.”   Luke 2:7

No room. How well I know that feeling right now. 

With all of those holiday preparations still to be done and time dwindling with each tick of the clock, there is no room for one more thing and no time to get it all done. But still here I sit looking for a way to squeeze in one more visit with a friend, one more trip to the store, and just one more dozen cookies yet to be made. 

In the midst of my countdown to Christmas, I did it. I made room to have friends over. I made time to get to the grocery store to be able to prepare a family Christmas feast – or two. I made time to check each gift off my list. I even made time to get my nails done! Wow – isn’t that amazing. A true Christmas miracle … or not. 

No room. 

Now as I pause in all of this hustle and bustle, I remember two things we told our children as they became teenagers and began to venture out on their own. 1) Make good choices, and 2) Leave room for Jesus. Truth be told, as we hurry and scurry through life, I still tell them this occasionally even though they are grown and out on their own. 

No room.

Today, I took time to read the whole Christmas story in my Bible. You know this really isn’t a story about No Room. It is a story about Making Room. 

Make room for Jesus.

A young girl and boy had their world turned upside down and opened themselves for ridicule as they made room for the Christ child. The innkeeper and his wife made room in a manger among the animals to welcome the Savior. The shepherds made room for a journey to see and then share the Good News. The three wise men made room in their minds to embrace this new Truth and follow a star to present gifts to the Wonderful Counselor, protecting Him along the way.

Make room for Jesus. 

Now, we are called to make room for Emmanuel – God with us. 

He is with us. 

So, can we do it this season and throughout the year? Will we do it? 

Make room for Jesus. All year long. Emmanuel – God with us. 

You can take Him any and everywhere. He was born in a lowly manger and later rose from the grave to sit at the right hand of God, our Father. He’s seen it all. 

Take another look at your plans this week, this season, and for the year ahead.

Make room for Jesus and make good choices!

(Read the full story – Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-23 and Luke 2:1-20) 

“I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty, and at the heavens, and their light was gone.”                                                                                                 Jeremiah 4:23 (NIV)

I reclined in the chair admiring my work. The color-coordinated decorations were just right. Everything perfectly scattered among the branches. I thought to myself, “This is a beautiful tree.  Good job!”

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it … a bare spot. A space totally void of decoration. No glass ornament. No festive bow. Not even a twinkling light. How could this be? A flaw in my perfectly beautiful tree.

I contemplated moving an ornament but that would create a different bare spot. I checked the box of decorations and all of the ornaments for this tree had been used. Unable to find a solution at the moment, I decided the bare spot wasn’t so bad. Right? It would take too much rearranging to try to fix it right then so I decided to leave it. It was near the back of the tree so no one else would notice.

The Christmas tree is beautiful and I love to sit and admire it in the quiet, dark morning. Yet, each day when I sit down to gaze upon it, I get this feeling that something just isn’t quite right. 

It’s that bare spot. I just can’t ignore it. My eyes drift directly toward it each time I recline and take in the sights of this beautiful season.  Yet, it is hardly even noticeable.

If you were to visit my home today I bet you wouldn’t be able to spot it. But, I know it is there. 

A bare spot. An empty space.

Our lives during the Christmas season can be similar to this tree. We try to put it all together with everything just right. Yet, there is still a bare spot, something that is missing. An empty space in our tree of life. 

Some bare spots are new. It wasn’t there last year. Then, as hard as we try to fill the void there just isn’t enough stuff or fluff to fill in that space without leaving a gap somewhere else. 

Other bare spots appear each year. They may shrink over time as we collect new things to replace what is broken, lost, or missing, but the original tree will never be the same. 

Sometimes our bare spots are clearly visible to everyone and others we cleverly hide by turning things just to hide the void.

How can this tree be so full yet still empty in that one spot? How can I be so full of life yet still feel incomplete?

As hard as I try each year (really each day), everything can’t be just so or always put together just right. No tree is perfect. Nothing is flawless. We all have bare spots – literally and figuratively. But each tree is beautiful. Each life meaningful. 

Don’t let those bare spots keep you from celebrating the season. Let God help decorate your life and fill in some of those bare spots and embrace the others – you know, the ones that are just part of your tree, your life. 

If you doubt God can fill your void, read Genesis 1:2, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the water.”  

Just look at the heavens and the earth. He did a pretty awesome job starting with nothing.

When we feel formless or empty, He can certainly work wonders. He is hovering over you now. Let Him fill your bare spots – today and very day!

This holiday season (from now to the beginning of the New Year), I am sending out some previously posted messages. These are some of my favorites and reflect my heart during this time. So if you’ve read these before, I hope somehow the words strike a new chord with you. I always pray these words are just what you need at just the right time. Note: Today’s offering may be better digested following your Thanksgiving meal – Happy Reading and Happy Thanksgiving!

“Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”                                                   Psalm 23:5 (RSV)

Full. That is where I seem to find myself during the holidays. Full. You might be feeling that way yourself right about now as well.

Full from overeating. Everywhere you look there is more food and now it’s not just the leftovers; but the holiday baking has just begun. Go ahead, break out the stretchy pants. 

Full of family and guests. A full house. People everywhere you turn. Each one of them needy in their own way. Leaving no room for you to take care of your own needs.

Full of events and activities. A full calendar. A celebration here and there. Time with friends and family. Plus, your normal obligations. Plus, decorating to do. And don’t forget to squeeze in that shopping. 

Yep – it’s that time of year. We are all full in one way or another.

Lately though, I have found myself full in yet a different way. In the midst of my daily frustrations, the holiday happenings, and all the things that drive me bonkers on top of all that, my heart is full.

I don’t mean full as in heavy. Although, I often feel that way it seems. This is different. 

Full. Full as in overflowing. 

In the middle of the holiday chaos, I looked around and realized how deeply I am blessed. I am blessed with great kids who come home to spend time with me. I have parents who are proud of me and support us all with their unconditional love. I have extended family who add extra seasoning to my life. I have great friends with whom I laugh and cry (sometimes at the same time). And I have a husband who has stuck by my side through the highs and lows of life loving me all along the way. Not to mention the material comforts of a home filled with laughter, love, and tears.

Now that the first wave of the holiday season has come and gone, the house is empty again, but I am still full.

So it is with truly a thankful heart that I pass along to you this simple thought: Allow yourself to be full. Let your cup runneth over with the blessings given to you each day as you walk with the Lord. 

I know some days you feel like your cup may not even be half full – maybe you think your cup is too big to ever be overflowing. Be realistic in your expectations. Your cup will run over before you know it. 

Take time to read Psalm 23 in its entirety. It only takes a couple of minutes. Then, don’t let yourself become full and overwhelmed – but full of the good stuff you are given. That stuff that surrounds us each day that we fail to truly appreciate. Remember the simple things. 

Let your heart be full this season – especially on those days when you feel like you are running on empty. No stretchy pants required!

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other.”           I Thessalonians 3:12

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;”                       Proverbs 4:20-21 (NIV)

While driving in my car, I was singing along with the song on the radio (yes, FM radio) when it happened – the station started going in and out. I would hear a few words … [crackling] … then pieces … wor— [crackling] … Then the song came back clearly – long enough for me to get into singing again and only to be disappointed when I lost the good signal again and heard nothing. but. static.

If I know a song well enough and am familiar with the words (or most of the words), I just keep singing along through the static.

I am persistent. Well … until I’m not. 

When I’m not, I finally give up and tune to another radio station. Not my favorite one, but at least one that is not fading in and out. I wait awhile – maybe two minutes, two days, or two weeks – Then, I try the other station again.

My experience with my car radio reminds me of how I hear God. Sometimes the message is crystal clear and at other times I only get every other word not able to clearly receive His message. 

I think maybe if I get to a better spot (higher ground) I can get better reception. But how long will that take and how long will that last? When I’m in those low spots isn’t that when I need Him most? Yet, this is when He seems hardest to hear. 

I discovered the best way to break through the static of this world and everyday life is to prepare myself to sing along even when the music – or in this case, God’s message – fades. I need to learn the words now to be able to sing along later.

I learned all of my favorite songs by listening to them over and over – now, I get (most of) the words right even when interrupted by the static. 

The same must be true in my spiritual life as well. I need to continuously and continually read the scriptures. Immerse myself in God’s word. 

By doing this when those times come and God’s direction for me seems unclear, the gaps will be filled with the strength of His message. 

Join me in singing through the static by writing His words on your heart. 

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Dear Lord,

I know that when I can’t hear you it isn’t because you are not there. The static of this world often gets in the way and makes me hard of hearing. Help me fill in those gaps with the truth of Your word by writing it on my heart so that in the static of life I can continue to sing along with You.

Amen.

“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”                                  II Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Our family finished dinner including dessert which was a platter of fresh baked cookies. As the kids lingered talking at the table, I began to clear the dishes noticing one lone treat. Have you ever noticed? It always works out that way with cookies – there is usually one last cookie left on the platter or in the package. It is a strange phenomenon. No matter how many people there are the number of cookies never disperses evenly so you are left with one last cookie.

I have seen arguments over the last cookie. I have seen people, young and old, pitch a temper tantrum because someone else ate the last cookie. I remember arguing with my siblings and later college roommates over the last cookie stemming from the selfish nature that everything should be all mine. By adulthood I did, however, learn that in polite society you never take the last of anything when at a public gathering – unless it is directly offered and insisted upon by the host. 

When I got married, I began to learn a little more about sharing and caring about the happiness of others so often times I would save the last treat for my beloved or we would go through the “you take it … no, you take it” routine trying to please and be polite. This forfeiting of the prize however shouldn’t be confused with being a cheerful giver.

Further maturing as a parent, I learned the act of giving without reluctance and without compulsion. As soon as my child was able to eat solid food I learned I would never again be the recipient of the last cookie and I was OK with that. As parents, we give our kids the last of everything – freely – cheerfully. 

Through life lessons and the principle of the last cookie, I have learned that kindness and politeness in the right spirit have a positive effect on me. I have also learned the wonderful feeling of leaving something behind for others to enjoy whether it is a simple treat like a cookie or something much nicer.

The last cookie is a very simplistic example of a bigger concept. As much as I love cookies, leaving the last one behind for someone else to enjoy is simple compared to giving the last of other things that I have. My last dollar. My last free minute. My last or only child.

We are called to give a lot of things in life. Time.  Money. Ourselves. But do we do that freely? Cheerfully? I have to admit, no. I am selfish. Just like the last cookie, I want to argue, pout or hide it to save it for myself. But over the years, I have come to appreciate the fulfillment in giving things away. The whole “the more you give the more you get” concept is really true. (Although it isn’t always easy or comfortable.) 

It is time to apply the principle of the last cookie. Today, give someone else the last of something … with a smile … cheerfully. You will be blessed. Also, on those occasions where you get to appreciate the last cookie – enjoy every bite!

“Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— (for we walk by faith and not by sight); 
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”                                                                   2 Corinthians 5: 6-8 (NASB)

One day as I was in deep thought – ok, it was more like day dreaming – about the daily things of life when the word Home came to mind. As I pondered this word the following phrases came to mind: Home is where the heart is. Home Sweet Home. And the ever-popular: There’s no place like home. No matter what, everything that came to mind was positive, heart-warming, comforting. 

After a long day at work – or shopping – sometimes I just couldn’t wait to get home, to rest, to be at ease. There have been many days when I jumped in the car (ok, so it is more like a crawl sometimes) after work and headed for home and then when I pulled in my driveway I realized I wasn’t quite sure how I got there.

Getting home is automatic. Like auto pilot. I am programmed to go directly home with little thought given to the mechanics of how I get there. Have you ever gotten in the car leaving work, or church, or a friend’s house with the intent of making a side trip somewhere else before going home only to find yourself a block from your humble abode having forgotten to run your errand? This never happens to me of course… but I’ve heard stories of such. 

Each of us have made that trip back home so many times it takes little conscious effort to get there. Many thoughts preoccupy our minds (thoughts of the lengthy to do list, worries of our children or parents, a difficult situation we are dealing with…), and we are distracted from the task at hand; yet, we can always find our way home. To a place where we find comfort and understanding from those who love us most. A place where you can take your shoes off, slide into some comfortable PJ pants, and just be. Isn’t it refreshing just to pull into the driveway? Don’t you breathe a little easier? Focus better? 

I imagine this is what our ultimate going home will be like. We often hear talk of passing away as “Going Home” or “Being at home now”. Some memorial services are referred to as a Home Going. Through the unbearable grief of the loss of a friend or family member, I can’t help but consider that person the lucky one. No more pain. No more sorrow. The ultimate eternal celebration. Those of us left behind have the difficult burden of this crazy world to bear. 

In my pondering of the word Home, I came full circle – from the day I brought my own children into our home to the conceptualization of my final journey Home. I realize my daily task now is to live my life so that I am creating a well-worn path between me and My Heavenly Father –  starting and ending my day at home with the Bible and prayer. Then, I imagine one day it will be like those days where I have given all that I have at work and jump (or crawl) into my car and head home only to find myself wondering how I got there so quickly and not remembering some of the mundane things along the way. I will experience that sense of relief and joy of truly being Home. I can’t imagine a better feeling than that!