As many people were choosing their “word for 2018,” I vacillated between several.  I was going to choose three and go with the alliteration of “Grit, Grace, Gratitude.”  I pondered “hope,” to remind me that no matter how many times I have failed on my goals, I should not give up.   I thought about “LESS,” as in less complaining, less laziness, less excuses, but thought perhaps a positive spin would be better.

I tried to find a good word that meant “in 2018, I am going to stop being such a self-critical, ungrateful, regret-filled, wasting time, flipping WIMP, and instead live daily in hope, positivity, gratefulness, service and actually living the priorities I say are important.” 

And, suddenly, it came to me: PRESENT.

Be present.  Intentional. Purposeful. Really, truly BE where I am.  Focused.  I don’t want to miss out on something my girls are saying because I’m too busy responding to a post on Facebook by someone that I don’t even actually know.  No more ignoring a good sermon at church because I simply cannot wait to make my “to do” list.  No skipping devotional time because the dumb game on my tablet is calling me.  No saying, “No” to snuggling and chatting with my girls before they go sleep because I have too many other things to do.   Too often, I am in the house with my girls or my husband, but I’m not really there.   My focus and interest are elsewhere and they know it.  I long to be PRESENT.  THAT is my word for this year!

(How am I going to live this out?  See Monday’s post for that!)

The above “present” is an adjective.  But I also want to live out this word as a verb!  I want to present the best self that I can to God, my family and others.  This means taking care of myself (health/fitness), being respectful and honoring to my husband, and being patient and loving with our girls.”  Romans 12:1 (NASB) reminds me to “present” myself to God.  “Therefore I urge you, brethren (and ‘sistern’), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

I also want to recognize the noun version of this word:  Present, as in a gift.  TODAY is a present, a gracious gift of 24 hours to make a difference in our family, community and world.  Many times, I have not used my 24 hours wisely, but in 2018, I sure want to!  God’s mercies are new every morning!  Great is His faithfulness.  Each of us wakes up to the “present” of a brand new day-  a day to make things better for those around us; a day to live in forgiveness, hope and peace; a day to impact our world with the love of Jesus.  What a gift!!!

What’s YOUR word for 2018 and how are you going to live it out?  I’d love to know!