Another Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone.  So much preparation…and just like that…it’s over.  It’s all worth it though.  Actually our Christmas isn’t quite over yet as we will be getting together with family to celebrate this Sunday.  We just couldn’t squeeze in all the fun in December so we are extending it into January (smile).

As I’m sure everyone does, I’ve been reflecting on 2017 and looking ahead to 2018.  It’s so nice to feel like we get a clean slate each year.  New goals, new adventures, stepping out into the unknown and embracing what lies ahead.

Each December I think of a word that can be my focus for the coming new year.  I know a lot of you do this.  It’s fun.  I pray about it and see where or how God would want me to place my focus.  Honestly the last four years or so I didn’t have any word come to me besides LOVE.  So…I just rolled with it.  This year, however, I was so excited to have a new word come to me.  And it was unexpected.  When I began praying about it back in December, the word INTENTIONAL came to me.  Huh…I thought I was intentional about things.  After some reflection, and a bit of “Are you sure God?”, He revealed some things that I have not been intentional about.

The word has come through so strongly that I know I’m on the right track.  I’m really excited to see where this year takes me as I strive to be more intentional with what God has laid on my heart.  But what about love??  Well, I think that is a permanent word for me at this point (smile).  It’s not going anywhere.  I get a little teary every time someone posts something about love on my FB timeline, or posts a picture of a heart.  It’s a reminder to me that the message is getting out there.  Love matters!

I hope that you have a word that you can focus on this year, and I pray that 2018 is a year of health, happiness, and healing, if need be, for you.  And of course, I pray that this year is filled with abundant love.

This year I had 3,398 views from people in 58 countries (fun facts that I like to look back on) (smile).  The following posts were the most popular:

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Tears
I Don’t Know Where I’m Going, but I Sure Know Where I’ve Been
Sometimes a Bark Comes Without a Bite
On Holy Ground
A Mother’s Heart

If you missed one, be sure to check it out.  And as always, thanks to everyone who have commented on or shared a post.  You are helping to spread the love.

Because it matters…

Happy New Year everyone!