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Devotions

What in the Word?

Have You Chosen a Word for 2021?

I haven’t always had a word for the year. It’s really only something I’ve done recently but it hasn’t been embraced the way I think it can be.

If I had to choose a word for last year it would be FOCUS.

It might seem a strange word to apply during a pandemic but I think many people can say that a lot came into FOCUS during 2020.

Focus on What’s Important:

Family, Friends, Your Health, Faith, Safety

Focus on What’s Not Important:

Sports, Entertainment, Hollywood, Religion, Temporary Pleasures

For me personally, FOCUS came from leaving a corporate job which was making me sick to FOCUS on what God wanted me to do with my life.

The amazing part is when I did FOCUS on God’s plan, and not my own ideas, I found a career I love and is tailored to fit me perfectly.

I love being my own boss, helping clients find peace and joy through organization, and having the time for a wide range of creative pursuits.

When I began to think of a word for 2021, I was leaning toward growth, because I do want to grow a lot in this next year:

    • Expanding Simply Designed Organization and the graphic design branch, Owl Simply Design
    • Write more novels in my Grace Series, publish at least one new novel this year
    • Publish the first novel in a new mystery series, The Sunday Mysteries, and write future novels
    • Spend more time in prayer and reading the Bible with devotions focused on the books of the Bible 

I was all set to make that my word until the first Monday night prayer service in January at my church. It was during the last song, I was down at the altar, praying for the upcoming election when our music minster began to sing a song that changed my thoughts on the word for this year.

It’s a song I’ve heard before and know the words, but when he sang out the word FORWARD, my spirit welled up and said “That’s your word for this year.”

I can’t tell you the song, I know it’s popular, but every time I try to think of it, I only hear the one word, FORWARD. Sung out clear and strong from that Monday night prayer service.

Nothing else will come to mind. I’ve tried to remember because I want to play the entire song over and over, but all I hear is the word FORWARD.

for·ward | fȯr-wƏrd (adverb)

    1. In the direction one is facing or traveling; toward the front
    2. Onward so as to make progress; toward a successful conclusion
    3. Toward the future, ahead in time

Wow, what a word! Powerful! No wonder I can only hear the one word, echoing in my head and heart.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for some forward motion in my life for A LONG TIME.

The last few years life has been a real battle with health, security, and peace of mind. It seems like every time I make it through one battle, finally receive a breakthrough after much prayer and seeking the Lord, only to find it’s short-lived, because of another battle, mostly the same one starts right back up.

It’s emotionally exhausting and a cause of great frustration.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked God to help me to walk into victory, the abundant life Jesus promised from John 10:10.

Abundantly
Abundantly
Abundantly
Abundantly

Last year, I focused not only on what God wanted and His plan for my life, but I also focused on obeying his leadings.

It hasn’t been easy and there have been a lot of tears, hurt, fear, doubt, and confusion.

But I stayed focus on God, or at least when I lost focus, I found it again.

I truly feel God is telling me to move FORWARD. Standing firm on His promises in faith has gotten me here and now, I can take those promises FORWARD into both my professional and personal life.

Moving FORWARD to

Knock down the darts of the enemy,

Pray with new authority,

Use my God-given talents to uplift and lead others to God,

Have a growing platform and a message to speak from,

Embrace a new, deeper relationship with the Lord,

Move forward, seeing the move of God in my life in unique and unexpected ways.

What a word! What a promise!

Have you asked the Lord to show you the word for your 2021 year?

He’ll answer if you ask.

Sometimes it’s with a whisper, sometimes a shout, and sometimes a song.

Ask Him.

Then be prepared to see the works of God in your life.

Until next time, may God’s grace surround you,

new beginnings
Devotions

Starting Over when it’s Not My Idea…

Starting Over

Fresh Start, Redo, Starting Over… It sounds good when it’s your idea. But when it isn’t your idea, well that’s a different story.

Starting over when someone decides they don’t love you anymore… The job you are working at doesn’t work out… Or God tells you to move when you’re perfectly content where you are…

None of these fresh starts sound fun. They don’t fit into anyone’s plans.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t fit into God’s plans.

He knows they serve a purpose. His purpose.

God knew the heartache was coming. The layoff was on its way. The breakup. Even the guy who swerved in front of you, causing you to be late for the important meeting.

Continue reading “Starting Over when it’s Not My Idea…”

Devotions

A Different Christmas Perspective

 

Different Christmas Perspective
Mom’s collection of Nativity scenes which have their own special tree in her bedroom.

This year, I’ve asked my mother, Anne Boulier to write the Christmas Devotional. I’m so glad I did because it’s a wonderfully different perspective of Christmas. A thoughtful reminder of why Christmas is a choice to make EVERY year.

Please enjoy!

Christmas – it’s a time of year that brings joy and sadness for many.  We celebrate the birth of the One who loves us most – He did, after all, come to die for us just 33 short years after His miraculous birth.  For some, it’s a time of sadness because of loved ones who are no longer a part of the season.  For some, it’s a time of sadness because of lost expectations for a better life – a better time to come.

Christmas, I have learned in my 68 years of ups and downs is what I decide to make it.

Yes, Christmas is a choice.  I can choose to dwell on the ones who are no longer here to share the traditions I carry on in celebration of the season. I can dwell on the hard times, as yet unanswered prayers, disappointments, sickness – anything I want.

Continue reading “A Different Christmas Perspective”