By: Amy Hafner

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”  Psalm 37:23

Have you ever picked a word of the year? 

I started doing this practice a few years back, as suggested by a few ladies at Grace Family Church. It’s a word that I ask for from God, it’s a word that may continue to pop up in my Bible reading, one that I consistently hear over and over again out of the mouths of our pastors, group leaders, family members, and friends. You may consider it a theme or focus for your year. It may be what God wants to show you, how He may want to grow you, or what you may need to understand and live out in a whole new way.  

I wanted to offer a few suggestions on how to reveal your word and what to do when you get it:

Pray

Ask the Holy Spirit if he would like to give you a word (he may not). Ask it to be from him and only him. Pray for wisdom and discernment, revelation and breakthrough, transformation and understanding, and ultimately, for His will to be done in your heart and home this year.

Listen

See if you notice patterns in conversations, maybe what you’re reading or hearing. My word this year came while I was editing videos and attending a dinner. My sweet friend, Sheri, gave a message about “Playtime” - stopping and just playing with your kids. A few weeks later my friend, Joy, hosted a Shabbat dinner where we learned the true meaning of Shabbat. Long story short, I realized I was pretty good at working hard and getting stuff done but not really great at enjoying the people He has put in my life. 

Continue to See It

Put it everywhere, write the word in your journal, make a bracelet, highlight and underline it in your Bible reading, and talk about it with your family and friends. Continue to pray and ask God to show you what it really means. 

I would love to hear if the Holy Spirit gives you a word. Send me an email at ahafner@gfcflorida.com -  I would love to pray with you this year.