Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

One Little Word – 2016

Here we are, starting a new year. I have to admit, there is a big part of me that thrills over the fresh beginning in front of us.  It’s like a fresh blanket of white snow free of footsteps.  It feels like a book with blank pages, just waiting for you to write your own story.  

For years, I’ve picked a word to be my “one little word” for the year.  Instead of overwhelming myself with lots of resolutions, I choose one word to be my driving force for the year.

While I was thinking and praying for my one little word, I spent some time reading Ali Edwards blog {she is the creator of one little word}. Wow, there are some amazing, inspiring words for 2016! Inspire, calm, believe, still, thrive, whole and forward are just a few of the words others have chosen. Wow, are those not some awesome words!

As I was thinking of my word for this year, I kept being drawn to a blog post I wrote a while back I am Tired of the Not Enough’s.  I spent some time reading other peoples words and pouring over lists of words.  I was still wordless but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being drawn to that post.  Over and over again, God kept calling me there.  This happens every year. And every year, without a doubt, I find myself saying “Are you sure? I mean maybe I just misunderstood” and then I always pout around, feel slighted and wish I had a “cool kid” word. Then, as every other year, I realize I’m being a selfish spoiled brat.

I’m fairly certain if God gives you a word, that you should take it and embrace it. And with that, I give you my word for 2016.


Enough.
Pretty enough.
Smart enough.
Good enough.
Talented enough.
Talkative enough.
Tall enough.
Normal enough.
Confident enough.
Perfect enough.

I’ve claimed this word as my theme for the next 366 days {it’s a leap year y’all}. I’m going to post it where I can see it daily and meditate on it often. This one little word is between God and I. It’s something that I’ve really felt He has been trying to work on in my heart lately.

For years, I’ve struggled with feeling not enough.  Pregnancies, age, surgeries and sickness have left my body changed. This body, riddled with scars and weight gain, has been the hardest for me to accept and added to the not enough feeling. Not pretty enough, not thin enough, not good enough, not smart enough and not talented enough. Halfway through 2015, that changed. I was tired of being stuck in the not enough’s, and I refused to live there anymore.

Enough to me means being able to look in the mirror and love the woman I see. A quiet confidence between my mind and my body. It speaks to me of smiling, of happiness radiating from my face, of knowing my worth because of who I belong to and of a sweet humbleness.

I have a journal that I write in daily, and my word of the year makes an appearance often. In my daily “God talk” time, I ask God to show me what He has to teach me about the word in my life, and then I collect quotes, Bible verses, sermon notes, conversation tidbits, impressions, etc. by jotting them down in my journal, one thought to a page.

As we head into the New Year, would you want to join me and consider claiming a word for the year? I’m sure He has a special one just for you. Write the word down, pray about it, journal about it and open your heart for whatever lessons God has in store for you.

HELLO 2016…GOODBYE 2015

Hello, Goodbye…end of the year style. Which, for us, means a year review in pictures of course.

 

My Journey

If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you know I keep it real here. And while I haven’t made a weight loss post for a long time, loooooong time, today it’s finally time.

The past few years have been hard; physically, emotionally and mentally. And honestly, half of 2015 was as well. My weight loss journey had been pushed aside. It’s was basically non-existent. Not only did I have physical limitations but I guess I had some mental ones as well. There were times I wanted to just throw in the towel and give up on my journey.  And on so many days, I did just that. So many days I felt defeated, broken and like a failure. I felt like I not only let myself down but also those people that always told me I had inspired them. I was embarrassed and many days didn’t want to leave the house and have others see me. And honestly, I was angry. I was so angry at myself.

BUT…

Halfway through 2015, something clicked. And I refused to let circumstances defeat me anymore. I refused to be broken. This girl right here, she’s a strong one. Finally, I was determined.

It didn’t come with flashes, bells or whistles. It didn’t need to be broadcast daily on Facebook. It simply didn’t need to be a public fight. It was a path I needed to walk quietly alone.

It came with a ferociousness that felt so familiar to me. It came with a determination that I loved. And it came with confidence that no matter the outcome, I loved my body as is. That, my friends, was the key I had been missing.

So far my weight loss hasn’t been an astronomical amount, it isn’t mind-blowingly obvious, but it’s all mine.  It’s a beautiful song and dance between my mind and my body, and I’m loving every minute of it.

2016 will hold more of my journey, more ups and downs. But I know in my heart, my body will be loved.