As each year draws to a close, we reflect on life. Did we accomplish anything in the past year? Did we mend or build a relationship? Were we successful at dieting/getting into shape/losing weight? Did we let anyone down–especially ourselves? How are our finances looking? Did we learn anything based on the one word God gave us last January?

While we mull these over, we consider what we want for next year. And we do one or more of several things:

1. We make resolutions. We determine we will accomplish our goals, and we set them too high to reach. Maybe we’ll feel some sense of success if we get halfway there. Maybe we’ll feel like complete failures at the end of the year. Who knows? But we make those resolutions anyway.
2. We choose One Word. We pray until God whispers this word in our ear. It’s like a promise or a challenge for the coming year. And even if our friend has the same word, it’s still extremely personal.
3. We choose a Life Verse. This is going to be the verse that God brings us back to every day for the next year. It’s a foundation for us to stand on each day. Again, it’s a promise or a challenge.
4. We ignore it all and decide to wing it. See what happens. Or doesn’t. Life will bring what life will bring, won’t it?

Personally, I enjoy One Word. I’ve done this for two years in a row, and God has amazed me each time. It’s simple. It’s direct. It’s personal.

Fullness. That was my One Word for 2015. When I looked back at the end of the year, I could see several forms of fullness that had occurred. It was a year of fullness of life. Abundance. Whether heartbreaking or joy inducing. My calendar was full. We joined a church and discovered we could stay there longer than two years. We were truly blessed in 2015. And, of course, God’s personal fullness invaded my own heart. Even more than it has before.

Relationship. 2016. This one starts with God. I have experienced more intimacy with Him as I’ve learned to trust Him (and continue to do so) with those areas of my life I’ve wanted to keep control over. My relationships with my husband and our four children have deepened and become more intimate. I’ve learned so much about my kids and about relating to teens in the past year. As stated previously, we’ve become members of a church that is beginning to feel like home this year. I’ve made new sisters in Christ. And the two friends I’ve had locally have become my best friends in the world. Our relationships have grown and strengthened. For the first time in … well, so long I can’t remember … 20 years, let’s say, I have a friend I can tell anything. God has answered prayer after prayer this year. All concerning relationships.

That is why I love One Word so much. It’s one word I have to keep track of. It’s something I can always look back on and easily recognize what God was saying or doing in that year of my life. It’s fun to make memes with my one word. And it’s extremely personal, even as vague as it is.

Join the Conversation: What do you prefer to do? Make resolutions? Choose a word or Scripture verse? Ignore the hype and wing it? And why? We’d love to hear from you!