one word for 2014 | strength

Last year was the first year that I participated in One Word 365. It's all about ditching the New Year's resolutions that we never stick to, and instead focus on one word to help guide us throughout the year. For 2013 my word was Seek and, let me tell you, it was powerful. I didn't blog about it that much, but the word was always in the back of my mind. It manifested itself in really subtle ways that I may not have even realized at the time. It's only now with hindsight that I am truly able to appreciate the ways that meditating on what it truly means to Seek really changed my year.
Last year was about seeking a house, seeking new jobs, seeking opportunities, seeking a church community, seeking a deeper relationship with my husband, seeking my passions, seeking direction, and above all seeking God's will. I could have never anticipated all the ways that just one little word could alter the way I approached daily life as well as big life decisions. 2013 was a big year for us, and I'm thankful that I started off the year with the heart and mind ready to tackle whatever came our way.
I'll admit, I'm still super attached to the word Seek and I didn't want to give it up this year! When I started thinking of a word for 2014, nothing came to me right away. And then BAM! It hit me.
My One Word for 2014 is STRENGTH.

The above verse from Exodus? That verse was my lifesaver last year. I meditated on that one verse more than any others. During times of crisis, stress, and grief I just repeated that verse over and over. It truly brought me so much comfort in times of need. It is a verse that will always be etched on my heart and there are few verses that so beautifully portray how I view God. So it's only fitting that my One Word for 2014 is Strength.

The Lord truly is my strength and I want to be confident and bold in that knowledge for 2014. I want to build upon the steady foundation He laid down in 2013.

I want to strengthen my faith,
strengthen my family,
strengthen my marriage,
strengthen my career.

If 2013 was the year of seeking God's will, then I want 2014 to be the year that I stand strong in God's will. I want to take my personal, professional, and spiritual life to the next level. I want to rely on His strength to help me take more risks and dive head first into what I'm supposed to be doing this year. I only hope that I can live up to the challenge and really live out my One Word throughout 2014.

It's going to be a great year. I can feel it.

It's not too late to pick your One Word for 2014! Visit the official One Word 365 website to learn more!

Do you have a One Word yet? Let me know in the comments!