I can’t believe 2016 is coming to an end. It feels like I was just sitting in our duplex at the kitchen on a sleepy January morning table trying to pick my word for the year, and now mulling over just how much has happened since then kind of blows my mind. This was a big year. If I may be so bold, it’s a year I’m really proud of. If you would have told me that within 365 I would graduate college (finally), launch into my photography business full time, book 12 beautiful weddings with the sweetest clients, travel to Portland for a film workshop, get my work published, re-launch my blog, dip my feet in the publishing industry, and build our first home… I don’t know if I could have handled it.
My word for 2016 was Present, and I’m surprised just how much it actually affected me. I saw the word everywhere in my life. I finally said no to some things I had needed to let go of for a long time; roles that overdue filling, friends that I had been tiredly chasing, and busyness that used to make me feel good about myself. This was a year in which I wrestled with my emotions rather than just swallowing them. Old wounds were reopened, but looking back, I’m glad they were because I was able to find healing this time around. And in doing so, I have been able to rest more, love more, enjoy more, and open my arms to what feels like a whole new life.
More than all the stuff that I did, I have greater appreciation for what God did. Generally I don’t like winter, but the one part of it I love is the new year. It’s like a blank canvas or slowly opening a present. Some things you choose to grab hold of, like better health or starting a new project, and others will just happen, like new jobs, opportunities, friends, and directions. I’m excited for 2017. I have some big plans and I’m sure God has some too.
The word I’ve chosen to theme 2017 with is Faith. I want to hold to the faith that what God has laid in my heart will happen this year. Rather than willing it into existence with my own hands, I want to trust that it will come through his. Looking forward into this year, I see things that I know are slightly crazy, things there’s no guarantee I can do, things that really are kind of my comfort zone and ability – and I’m happy that’s how it looks. That’s exactly what I want. I want a year of depending on faith and watching God do so much more than I ever could.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” –Hebrews 11:1 ESV
Happy New Year, friends! I encourage you to choose a word for your upcoming year yourself!
