Have you Surrendered?

 As I begin writing this blog post, it's 10:41 pm on December 31, 2024.

Goodbye, 2024 - Hello, 2025! 

Each year, most of us have a tendency - perhaps an intentional habit for some - to reflect on the past year and plan for the new. I'm not one of those intentional people; any time I try planning anything, life happens that cause plans to change, so I've learned to be more flexible, awaiting what He has in store. 

In God's refining fire, the trials and tribulations of life, we have a choice. A choice to lean into Him, to learn the lessons He has for us, or to turn from Him and try to do life on our own. 

I was saved in my early 20s, but foolishly tried to lead life on my own terms for two turbulent decades.

But Christmas 2005 changed me. Hitting rock bottom, I surrendered my whole being - my will, my way - to Him fully, no longer willing or able to do life without Him guiding my every step. Life didn't get any easier but my perspective changed, and that made all the difference.

Since 2011, the Lord has impressed a word upon me in the final months of most years. Those words have included Trust, Joy, Peace, and last year's word Grace. Throughout each year, I've focused on those words, and called on the Lord to help me live out those words through whatever trial has come my way. 

It's probably no surprise to anyone, but with each of those words - as positive as they sound, as positive as they seem - those traits / characteristics / benefits come at a great price. Well worth the price, but still costly. After a few years of receiving beautiful, uplifting, inspirational words but ending the year weary from the battles, I began dreading the words, knowing more battles were likely ahead. 

Perhaps that's why I didn't have words for 2021, 2022, or 2023. Last year, He surprised me with the word Grace, and all year, I've had opportunities to offer grace and have been grateful to receive grace from others. This allowed my heart and mind and ears to be open for this year's word, too, but when I first received it, I was hesitant. It's a "repeat" of my 2012 word, and I remember some of the trials that year. I also remember some amazing people and events that year, too. I asked the Lord if I was hearing Him correctly, if this was to be my word for this year, and He hammered me with it for days! 

HOPE is my 2025 word of the year. 

May Hope flood our lives and hearts and remind us to point others to the Source of all Hope with our words and our actions.

May the coming be filled with love, joy, and peace, and may you know Him better and love Him more with each passing day. 

Happy New Year!

We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV)