Joy

Joy. It’s my word of the year. It doesn’t mean happy or peppy. It doesn’t mean that I won’t have a bad day or that I won’t ever be sad- or even angry.

This joy is the blessed assurance that Jesus is mine! It’s the confidence that no matter what happens or how bad or sad things get, everything is still going to be okay because Jesus made it okay. Joy is the decision and the choice to praise Him in all circumstances.

I’m going to praise Him in death and in tragedy and in conflict. Because He is good and I know that and I believe that. And this assurance is what I pray guides me in 2016. My words, my conversations, my decisions… I pray that they are spurred on by the confidence that He is good and it’s all going to be okay because Jesus made it okay.

I set a few small, measurable goals for 2016. There are some things I want to do that aren’t listed here like organizing our photos and cleaning out the attic, but these goals are measurable goals that I want to look at all year.

1. Read through the Bible in 2016. 

I follow a reading plan that our church provides and I’ve never made it past August. I want to finish this year! I did Angie Smith’s Seamless study (which I highly recommend!) with a group of girlfriends last summer and it gave me such a better understanding about how the Bible was written. I’m really really excited for the Bible in a year goal this year! And it’s not just to get it done, but to know God more and to look forward to that sweet time of fellowship with Him every day.

2. Host a family for supper once each month.

Hospitality was a big theme in our home in 2015 and I want to continue that in 2016. My goal is to host a family once a month, but it will probably end up being more like two families per month because we just enjoy it so much. My kids love it and it’s become a really good experience for them, too.

3. Write on my blog once a week.

I mentioned this in yesterday’s post, but I just want to write these memories for my kids, and writing is a hobby that I neglected in 2015.

4. Exercise three times a week.

I chose the exercise piece of this because it is measurable, but I also have some goals for changing up some of our eating habits. I want to get back to the barre, I want to walk more, and I just want to have an overall household focus of health in the most grace-filled way. This also includes lots of sunscreen! I don’t need for us to be health-obsessed, but my mom did a lot of research about health and what can cause cancer and I want to carry that forward to my own children and husband.

I will choose joy in 2016. I will serve the Lord boldly and without reservation. I will love my family well. I know that Jesus is good and loving and I’m welcoming 2016 with the confidence that He has made it all okay.

Happy New Year!

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Comments

  1. says

    Such an inspiring post! I have been wanting to make a lot of the changes you mention, but I have to admit it has been tougher than I anticipated. I’m hoping this year is the year I’ll succeed 🙂 Thanks for sharing

  2. says

    Joy is my word for 2016, as well! I’m so sorry about your recent loss of your Mom here on Earth – my Dad passed away from cancer in 2015, just 12 days after I got engaged. The heart pain of losing a parent is indescribable. After this past year of changes and grieving and loss and gain (I’ll have been married for six months this month – woohoo!), “Joy” was the most fitting word for God to place on my heart for the new season. Sorrows may last for the night… but by the grace of God, our joy is new every morning! Praying for y’all in this new year!

  3. Erin says

    Amen! What inspiring words of wisdom. I only discovered your blog a few days ago, but I will be following you this year. I am going to copy your New Year’s resolutions because I feel the same way. My family had a tough year in 2015, but seeking God above all else will make 2016 a year of hope and joy. Thank you for your thought provoking words!

  4. Grace In says

    One of the best things I’ve ever heard is the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is based on happenings, on circumstances. Joy doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy or sad but it’s based on purpose and knowing jesus!

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