Ted and I just got back from the gym.  We have been making a point of going twice a week.  On the weekends, we look at the week ahead to plan around work schedules so that we can schedule our 2 mornings for our work-outs.  We both, like most, have the effects of aging to battle daily!  We both feel it is important to stay strong as we grow older.  Ahhh!  There’s my word:  STRONG.  (Are you reading this Verne?) 

Ted and I are part of a Life Group with our church.  We are a lovely and motley crew of people who love God and choose to grow in faith through our small group relationships with fellow believers.  At the beginning of each calendar year, we have been sharing our “word” for the year.  We each choose a word that gives us direction or reminders of what change or new thing we’d like to work on, accomplish, or get better at.  It took me a while to realize my word.  Strong.  It has multiple meanings for me.

First:  I tend to be a weak person.  Oh yes I am!  Y’all don’t know how I struggle with self-confidence.  Good ‘ole Satan knows how to break me down to make me feel like a worthless stupid person.  When those negative feelings start scratching at my brain and I feel myself sinking, I now call out to God for me to stand strong!

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Second:  As mentioned above, it is my desire to grow old but to stay strong physically.  I want to keep up with the grandkids!  I want to be able to walk and hike and never stop sailing!  There’s a lot of this world I still want to explore and experience!

Third:  I want to grow stronger in my walk with Jesus.  I want to know Him more.  I want my faith to show in what I say and do.  So how to do this?  The simple, yet challenging answer is to get into daily bible study.  Read God’s word and let Him speak to you.  If you’re like me, you’ve probably tried to do this several times.  We get off to a good start, right?  Then we get busy and we’re done. 

Our church will be soon starting a 7-week study of the Life of Jesus.  Our Life Group has decided to participate.  We will meet every Sunday afternoon, the sermons will be tied to the study, and we have a book with daily bible readings and questions for reflection.  My Life Group has graciously given me the task to be our group “facilitator” for our weekly meetings.  Ugh.  Sometimes I shirk responsibility.  But I believe God wanted me to do this as I strive to grow stronger in His word and my faith.

So how can all of this help YOU?  I encourage you to find a word that will be your guide for 2024.  It’s really easier than a New Years’ resolution.  All those have been broken already, anyways.  But if you have a single word to be your guide, it is so much simpler.  I’d love for you to reply to this blog and share your words with me and other readers.  FYI – others have chosen words such as:  anchor, grace, purpose.  Whatever makes the point for you – make it your word. 

Also … Our church study does not begin until February 12^th, but I am already doing the daily readings to get a head-start.  If you are a friend of mine or my church that is doing this study, I will be blogging my thoughts throughout the week in regards to the readings and what things were brought to mind for me.  If you are not part of this study, that’s okay!  I am praying God gives me insight to the bible readings we are doing and hopefully will give me something to share. 

Let me see those words!

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

just Laurel