ONE WORD 2021 & 2022

After failing at New Year's Resolutions for years, in 2011 I joined the One Word movement and chose just one word to focus on for the year. I have smaller goals and things I work toward, but one big word to really focus on and grow in. The first year, I didn't take it serious and don't even remember what my word was. The next year my word was intentional, then heart, pray, water, me, marriage, joy, progress, less, and rooted. All such great words!

I have never finished a year thinking that I have mastered my word. I never will. However, I finish each year knowing I made progress in that area. I learn things about my word and create habits that help me to grow and become a better version of myself.

In 2021 my One Word was ROOTED. I wanted to end the year rooted deeply into the Word of God. To work towards this, I continued with my daily Bible reading and prayer time, but I also worked on being more consistent with using my Write the Word journals daily, reading a Scripture verse and devotional before bed, and worked on some in-depth Bible studies. I have learned to start and finish my day with Jesus, as well as meet Him in pockets throughout the day. I haven't mastered this or "arrived" but I know my roots have grown deeper and deeper. For this, I am grateful.

That leads us to 2022! So what is my word for 2022?

My focus word for 2022 is PEACE!

The past couple of years have been difficult for me. There has been so much change in my life -some good, some indifferent, and some bad. There has also been so much loss. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for the first time in my life (this is something I will share more about in the coming months). I am ready for peace.

If you had asked me what peace was when my kids were little, or even just a year ago, I would have said peace was a quite and clean house with candles burning while I snuggle with a blanket and good book. I would also say peace was basking in the sun with sand between my toes while I listen to nothing but the waves crashing on the shore. Those both sound glorious right? However, today I wouldn't say this is peace.

After struggling with such a hard season, I know that peace has nothing to my location, the state of my home, or even the noise level. Instead, peace has to do with my heart. And the only way my heart will be at peace is by seeking true peace from the Lord.

Yes, snuggling in with a blanket and good book with a clean house and candle burning is wonderful and relaxing. Yes, lounging on the beach watching the waves race in and out is heavenly. Yes, swaying in a hammock as the birds quietly chirp around is incredible. However, the peace that comes from these things only lasts a moment. My soul yearns for true and lasting peace, peace from God.

How will I focus on peace in 2022? Simple. I will seek Jesus.

Continue to dig my roots in deep. I will continue with my daily Bible reading and prayer. I will continue to do my Write the Word journal each day. And I will continue to read a Scripture verse and devotion before bed. I want to continue to start and end my day with Jesus as well as meet Him in pockets throughout my day. If He is my true peace, I must be with Him.

Scripture memory. Each month I will choose a new Scripture verse about peace to memorize. For the entire month I will focus on that verse as I let it sink deep into my heart and mind.

Go to God. In those moments when fear, anxiety, and depression try to sneak in -and they do- I will work on not giving in and instead go to God.

Seek Him in creation. I love nature, I love God's creation. I can always feel God's presence when I am in nature. I started walking last year and love it, especially when I get to walk near the lake. The key is to make sure I am enjoying being in His presence and not trying to find peace from the world. This means I need to put my phone away and invite Him to be with me.

What is your One Word for 2022? Share in the comments!

Come back tomorrow! I am sharing my 2022 Powersheets goals!

Thank you to Michelle Rabon at Displaying Grace for my Word Girl!.

EMILY LEX WATERCOLORS

I don't consider myself an artistic person at all. In fact, when asked about my artistic abilities, I say that my poor stick people look like they were hit by a bus. It's bad.

However, I admire art! Especially painting. A few years ago my husband and I did a painting class and it was so much fun! I enjoyed everything about the process of seeing a blank canvas come to life before my eyes.

Author and painter Emily Lex says, "Being an artist is about making art, yes, but also more. It is about seeing. It’s slowing down, paying attention, taking a breath, and noticing. It’s using our gifts and talents and passions to love and serve, each of us in our own creative way. For me, it’s delighting in the little things, then capturing them through scratchy pencil sketches and pretty watercolor puddles or stringing together thoughtful words as an encouragement to others."

Emily's watercolor paintings are beautiful and just looking at them brings a peace! She wants to help us find the same joy in painting with watercolors. She offers two workbooks, Watercolor Animals and Watercolor Flowers. Each workbook has 42 spiral bound lay flat textured pages with professionally printed artwork and sketches created by Emily herself. She gives direction to painting each of these sketches, however, you can be creative with your painting too.

She also offers online video classes to walk you through the process of creating. She shares supplies, tips and tricks, techniques, how to mix colors properly, lettering, how to make a seascape, and so much more.

Her shop also has beautiful Scripture cards with a gold stand. I love these cards to display not only an encouraging Scripture that you can change out, but also Emily's beautiful watercolors.

Emily also has a book, Freely and Lightly, with encouragement and teaching for when you are exhausted from the never-ending search for significance. She shares insight from her own spiritual journey and wisdom from God’s Word, to help you see how life-changing Jesus’ invitation to real rest truly is.

I truly enjoy working through Emily's workbook and online classes. It is relaxing and peaceful and so much fun to bring color and life to the page. I am excited to continue on through the workbooks!

To check out Emily Lex's watercolor prints, Scripture cards, workbooks, online classes, and books, click HERE.

THERE IS GOOD IN EVERY DAY

When my grandfather passed away on Christmas morning, my world shattered. I still, one day short of three months later, feel very broken. There has still not been a day that I haven’t broken down and cried. With all that is going on in the world right now, I just have this deep, urgent need to talk to him. To hug him. Yet, I can’t.

About two weeks after we lost Papa, I remember walking through my house feeling like every single day has been horrible since losing him. That nothing felt right, nothing was going right, there was just nothing good. While walking into my dining room feeling this awful burden, I walked past my letter board. The quote that had been on my board for probably six months, maybe more, is one of my favorites. I kept thinking I needed to change it but just never did. Now I know why.

Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.

Every day may not be full of good. It may not be considered a good day. It may be a really hard day even. But, each day does have something good in it.

As a tear slid down my check, I went to my bookshelf and picked up a brand new journal that I hadn’t been sure what to use it for. I wrote the quote in the front cover and dedicated it to my Papa. Then. I wrote three things in that day that were good. Now I keep the journal by my bedside and at the end of the day I think back and find three things that were good. Some days it’s easy to find three things. Some days I struggle. But they are always there, we just have to dig.

This practice has been a blessing to me, especially on the bad days. It makes me pause and think. It makes me reflect. It makes me realize there is still something good. And it makes me thankful.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
Psalm 107:1

This world is going through a very difficult time. Things I never, ever thought I would see happen are happening. Like schools closed, lack of food and supplies, churches only able to have online services, and being told we can’t leave our homes. It feels like a movie, not real life.

If you are struggling, whether from the pandemic going on, the loss of a loved one, dealing with a health crisis, a broken relationship, or any other struggle, I challenge you to begin to find the good. Find the little blessings. Some days it may just be that you woke up or that you heard a bird chirping. Whatever it is, find it. Write it down and reflect on God’s goodness. It may not change your situation but it will put your focus on God and remind you that every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.

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The journal that I am using is the Legacy Journal from Cultivate What Matters. I absolutely love this journal! It is the perfect size, has a linen hard cover that will last, there is a ribbon to mark your page, and beautiful gold details. This journal is absolutely perfect!

I love that it is called a Legacy Journal because I feel like that is what I am doing. Leaving a legacy for my kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and so on. One day they will look at this journal and see that even through hard circumstances I was finding God’s sweet blessings.

Cultivate What Matters and I want to bless three of you with a Legacy Journal. And since I am all about matching accessories, I am adding a beautiful matching pen to each journal from Well Watered Women. To enter to win, complete each task in the rafflecopter below. Can’t wait? To get your Legacy Journal, click here or the image below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE MIDDLE MATTERS

This spring our family watched our oldest graduate college, our third child graduate high school, and then our oldest get married. Talk about a whirlwind two months! Once all of our events had taken place and we were recuperating from the busyness, it dawned on me. I have three adult children. I only have one child left in school and he is a junior in high school. I am a mother-in-law.

How did this happen!? How did I get here? Just yesterday I was swaddling babies and now my husband and I are on the verge of an empty nest. It makes me emotional. It's hard. I know that my kids will always need me, I still need my mom and she still needs hers. But it will be in a different way, not as active as it once was.

While this time isn't easy on me, and while I cry when I look at my babies that aren't babies, I've learned that this time in middle is still important. Life is still important. Life is still good.

In her brand new book, The Middle Matters, Lisa-Jo Baker talks about why the middle matters in our muffin top, our marriage, our parenting, our living room, our failures, our sports practices, our friendships, and our faith. Lisa-Jo had me crying tears, in the middle of the DMV mind you, just reading the intro! Lisa-Jo gets it. She understands the middle.

Lisa-Jo shares different stories from personal experiences. She will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. Reading The Middle Matters is truly like sitting down for coffee with a dear friend as you discuss life. She will remind you of your worth as she tells you that your age isn't a dirty word. She will encourage your marriage when you think your love story is boring. She will remind you that a grilled cheese without the middle is just toast.

Friend, your middle matters. Whatever your middle is right now, the middle of diapers and bottles, the middle of school sports and carpools, the middle of teaching teens to drive and filling out college applications, the middle of an empty nest, whatever it is, it matters. Pick up The Middle Matters today! Just click below.

WRITE THE WORD

There is something powerful about writing something out in your own handwriting. It helps to remember it. It helps to get it into your heart and mind. Think about it. We have our kids write out their spelling words to learn them. When we write down an appointment we are more likely to remember it. Writing is powerful.

This is why I love Write the Word Journals by Cultivate What Matters. These beautiful journals are made from vegan leather so they are soft to the touch, but they are also strong and made to last. On the inside, you will find a place to write what today is. This could be the date or how you are feeling or what the weather is. Then a place to write something you are thankful for. Next, there is a Scripture reference and blank space to write out that verse. On the next page you will find a space to write out a prayer or draw some artwork to go with your verse.

I hesitated to start Write the Word Journals at first because my handwriting is horrendous! But I realized, it doesn't matter! It's my handwriting! I know what I am writing. My heart is touched when I write God's Word, no matter how messy. And one day when my children, grandchildren, or maybe even my great-grandchildren find my journals, they will be blessed by seeing God's Word and my prayers written out in my handwriting.

Cultivate What Matters launches four brand new Write the Word Journals today! First we have Write the Word Cultivate Worship, then Write the Word The Garden, next Write the Word Fruit of the Spirit, and finally Write the Word for Kids Fruit of the Spirit.

These journals are perfect for busy women who only have a few minutes or for the woman who wants to sit down and dwell. They are perfect for sitting at home with God or on the go while you wait in the doctors office or watch the kids play at the park.

The Write the Word Kids Journals are a wonderful additions to a homeschool curriculum or time with Jesus before heading off to school. The kids journals come with stickers and space to color. Your child will love getting into a regular time with Jesus using their very own journal!

Pick up your own Write the Word Journals today and begin to write out God's Word in your own handwriting! Just click one of the images!

The first 500 orders over $75 today will get free shipping and free Bible tabs! Click below!

HE DID

There is a saying that goes: She believed she could so she did. While the saying is good and inspires some, I've always had a bit of trouble with it.

There are some things that are just out of my power. Some things that I cannot do. As much as I'd like to believe I can, sometimes I just know that I can't. I can't do all things. I am not super human. I am not super natural.

Recently I heard Lara Casey, from Cultivate What Matters, change up the famous saying just a bit. Lara said, "She thought she couldn't, so He did."

We can't do it all. No matter how much we want to believe that in our power we can do anything, the truth is we cannot. But God can. If God is giving you a dream, He can bring it to fruition. If God is leading you somewhere, He has a plan.

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

We are able to do things through God, not on our own. It is His strength in us. It is His power in us. We know that we, on our own, can't, but we can have faith that He can.

When you are struggling to realize the dreams deep inside your heart or accomplish something big or small, remember that regardless of what you can't do, God can do it. Place it in His hands and trust that "He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

Recently I was talking with a woman who is struggling. She is a single mom, works two jobs, and goes to school. She was having a rough day and as we talked, she said, "The struggle is real."

A phrase I am sure you've heard, maybe even said. So many bills to pay, the struggle is real. A hard day at work, the struggle is real. Kids that won't listen, the struggle is real. Can't lose weight, the struggle is real. For every issue in life we face, we shrug it off and say those four little words. In saying those words, we forget four bigger, more powerful words: but so is God. The struggle you are facing may be very real and very hard, but God is real too and He is far more powerful than your struggle is.

When you are facing a struggle, no matter how large it is, remember that God is more real and more powerful than your hardship. Remember, while it seems like your hardship will last forever, it is only a season. Here is what the Word says:

God is our refuge and strength, 

a helper who is always found

in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous?

Do not be afraid or discouraged,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

And my God will supply all your needs

according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Yes, your struggle is likely very real and has you feeling like it may take you under for good. But friends, God is real and God is powerful. Take it to Him.

You Are Worth It

Dear friend. Yes, you. The one who is struggling with guilt. The one who is burdened by shame. The one who is feeling unworthy. Oh friend. Don't you know that you are His princess? Don't you know that He treasures you?

Before you were ever conceived in your mother's womb, He knew you and loved you. He lovingly knit you together exactly the way He wanted you. He choose you. He called you. He planned for you. You are His. His precious daughter who He loves deeply, so much so that He let His Son die just for you. You are worth His love. You are worth being treasured and cared for. You are worth it.

That guilt you are feeling, the shame that haunts you, the fear that cripples you, that's not from God. God is not the author of guilt and shame and fear. Those feelings are straight from the enemy. The one who comes to kill, steal and destroy you. But guess what? This enemy has no authority over you. None whatsoever. You are worth more than the guilt, shame and fear. It's time to stand up to the enemy and tell him that you are worth more. More than his lies. You are worthy of God's grace and mercy. You are worth His time and His healing power. You a child of God and worthy to be known as such.

Friend, you are worth the forgiveness and love that God offers. You are worth it because God created you and choose you. In Him, you have a great worth. Stand tall and know that you are the King's princess.





Linked with:
Woman to Woman's Word Filled Wednesday

Unrush Me

If I were to tell you about my day it would be something like, wake up at 5am, rush to get my husband out the door for work, rush to get myself ready, have my quiet time with God, rush to get the kids up and ready, rush to get our homeschool started, keep up on the housework and laundry, and taking care of the kids. Then rush to get dinner on the table, get showers done and get to bed on time. Throw in weekly music lessons that we rush to, monthly orthodontist appointments, six month checkups for one child at one doctor and six month checkups for another child at a different doctor. Then, depending on what season it is, rushing to yearbook meetings, and baseball, volleyball or basketball practices and games. Rush, rush, rush.

If I were to ask you about your day, you’d have a very similar story. We are all busy women. No matter what season of life you are in, you are busy. I’ve come to realize that the busyness doesn’t stop with each new season; you just get busy with something different. When we fall into bed at night, we are exhausted yet we lie awake thinking over our day and working through our tomorrows.

Everywhere we look, we see people rushing around. Hurrying in everything that they do.

I remember when my kids were little, bedtime was my favorite time of day. Not because they were going to bed and now the house would be quiet. No, it was because I loved the slow moments of snuggles, stories, smelling their clean hair and the I love yous. Now, I find myself telling the kids to hurry and get in bed. I rush to their room and literally find myself saying, “Hurry and get to bed,” as I kiss them goodnight.

God, unrush me.

My kids are not morning people at all. Very much like me. So to wake them up in the morning, I slowly and quietly begin to turn lights on and talk softly to them as I get myself ready. But after about an hour of this slow routine, I glance at the clock and begin to panic as I see that we are running behind. I start shouting, “Hurry! Get up and get ready now!” Instead of our day starting with sleepy smiles and soft words, we have now escalated to a rushed, sometimes angry morning.

God, unrush me.

My husband and I get to church at 8:30 on Sunday mornings and we spend the next hour and a half rushing to make sure all those final things are ready for kid’s church. We walk past people, smile and say, “Hi,” as we rush to the next task needing our attention. Most weeks we leave church and one of us will say, “Was so and so there today, I didn’t see them?” The answer always comes, “I’m not sure, I was so busy that I didn’t get a chance to see or talk to anyone.” Or we are so busy rushing around that we miss when someone at church really wants to talk or needs some encouragement and prayer.

God, unrush me.

We have time alone with our husband, but we rush it. We have time with a friend, we rush it. We have time with a relative or neighbor, but we rush it. We rush from place to place. We are always rushing. I honestly think I say the phrase, “Hurry up!” at least a dozen times a day.

What about this one? We have our quiet time with God and we rush through the moments of Bible reading and prayer because we just have so much to do. We talk to God but don’t pause to listen because the laundry needs our attention. We lift our needs to God but don’t take time to thank Him because we have to get to work or get the kids to school or start the next project.

God, unrush me.

This is about more than “stopping to smell the roses.” This is about living intentionally. It’s about people. It’s about our time with God. It’s about slowing down and really living life to the fullest.

It’s time to stop rushing and enjoy the moments God has gifted to us. It’s time to slow down and spend those moments with our loved ones. To really look at those around us who are hurting or just need someone to talk to. It’s time to do more than quickly read the Bible and to actually study it and spend some real time with God. It is time we reevaluate our priorities. It’s time to delegate where we can. Time to say no to things and people when necessary.

God, unrush us.

Linking with:
Woman to Woman's Word Filled Wednesday

4 Reasons To See Yourself As Beautiful

Every day I hear women say things about themselves that they would never dare say about another woman. The same things they shut down when they hear other women say these things about themselves.

You know how it is. We say things like I hate my body shape, my hair is so awful, I am so overweight, look at these wrinkles, I am just not pretty like others, the list goes on and on and on. We say the most horrible, negative things about ourselves. We look in the mirror and what do we do? Complain. Criticize. Degrade. Belittle. Cry. Yet we hear another say the very same words we are saying and we quickly jump in to tell them how beautiful they are. Why is it wrong for them to say these things about themselves but okay for us? Why?

Why can we not remember that God created us? Why do we continually let the world's twisted view of beauty shadow what we know to be truth?

For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Here are 5 reasons why you should see yourself as beautiful:

1. God created you in His very image. Genesis 1:27 tells us right there in black and white truth that we were made in the image of the Father. We look like God. You look like God. He created you, His precious child, to look just like Him. Would you ever tell God that His hips were too wide, wrinkles too deep or nose too big? Of course not! So why tell yourself that? You look like Him.
2. Exactly like He wanted. The verse in Psalm 139 says that God knit us together. He knit us exactly like He wanted us. He didn't randomly toss a bunch of cells out there and say, "well, I guess that one can be Jenifer." No. He knit us. Lovingly put us together, piece by piece. I think of a child focused and carefully drawing their masterpiece. God did that to you. He carefully put you together exactly like He wanted.
3. What about others with the same features? Have you ever heard a woman complain about her looks and thought, "really? Because I have that same feature. She must not like that about me either." I have. Many times if I am honest. We should never, ever compare ourselves to others. God made us how He wanted us. But it is easy to feel less-than when we hear others complaining about something and it is a feature we possess too.
4. Think of your children. What is that feature that you hate the most? The one you complain about often. Does your child, niece, nephew or grandchild share that same feature? How do you think they feel when you complain about it? What message are you sending them? That you dislike this feature on them as well? That they aren't good enough because they carry this gene? You would never want your children to say such awful things about themselves but the truth is, you are saying it for them when you complain about yourself.

Today I want you to write out Psalm 139:13-14. Write it several times. Put it in your prayer journal. Write it on index cards. Post it in your home where you will see it often. Commit it to memory. Whenever you are feeling down or are tempted to criticize yourself, recite the verse. Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Chosen

It doesn't matter what your waist size is, what color your hair is, how many grays are popping up on your head, how fast you read, how many smile lines grace your face, how well you sing, how tall you are, how short you are, or even what awful mistakes you've made in the past. None of that matters because God chose you.

Let me repeat...

GOD CHOSE YOU.

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first-fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Ask, Seek, Knock

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds,

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

Linking With:
Woman to Woman's Word Filled Wednesday