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My word for 2015 was Brave and it was by far the best word I’ve ever chosen. I couldn’t say no to anything last year. I had to face my fears and just do it. And it was liberating. I achieved far more than I ever thought possible

I re-opened my Etsy shop during Spring Break and had 44 sales. That doesn’t even begin to count the orders that I received through Facebook, text, or email. Stepping out of my comfort zone paid off big time. I even said yes to speaking about my Bible journaling – HUGE. I don’t enjoy speaking in front of people. It’s just plain scary, but I did it and was proud of myself for even attempting such a thing.

I’ve been praying about my Word for 2016 for the past couple of months and wasn’t really happy with what the Lord was throwing at me continually. The word SURRENDER kept surfacing.

I don’t like that word. At all.

To me, surrender has always mean giving up….being dominated by someone or something.

Yes, I know, that’s a good thing when it comes to the Lord. I want to give up of myself to Him. I want to become less and have Him become more. I want to be dominated by His love and His goodness.

I really struggled with this word until I really heard the chorus of a song we sing at church…The Stand.

A heart abandoned. My soul surrendered. All I am is Yours. THAT is the kind of surrender I want. I want to live totally abandoned to the Lord this year. I want to be fully given over to Him and what he wants for me this year.

That doesn’t mean living like a wet noodle, waiting for Him to work. That means following whole-heartedly wherever He leads. That means giving up things in my life that will stifle my relationship with Him. That means leaping in faith toward whatever project He puts before me.

It means a year of excitement. Living with abandon to the Lord of all.

Yes, my one word, Surrender, is being redeemed.

I can’t wait to see what He is going to do this year!

Do you have any New Year Resolutions or a Word that you are focusing on this year?