. . . for Lauren and Lauren: My word

January 1, 2014

My word

Last year I chose a word for the year.  I thought a lot about it and picked surrender.  I knew that I needed to give God control in many areas of my life and God certainly gave me lots of opportunities to do that.  Mostly through our struggle to get pregnant, but then once we did, to give over my worries and fears after we had an early scare.  I was constantly needing to surrender my fears as I worried over every little cramp or possible concern.  I had to learn to surrender when it came to my mom's health this last year when she had to go through open heart surgery.  I learned to surrender my fears over the last year when Chris started his own business.  

I'm pretty sure that I will forever struggle with my desire to control things and know the outcome of them, and fail over and over to open my hands and let God be in control.  But I do think I've learned a lot in that area and am ready for a new word, while I continually work on surrendering.  

This year I've entered an entirely different phase of my life and I find myself in new struggles and am faced with opportunities to let God work in my life.  This year I'm choosing the word rest.


I want to learn how to rest in the fact that God loves my baby more than I do and will protect her and knows her future.  

I want to rest in the role that God has put me in this year and embrace my new "job" as a mom.  I want to be confident in the mom that God has made me and stop comparing myself to others.  I want to enjoy and soak up these early moments of motherhood and not constantly analyze things and think about what I should or need to be doing.  

I want to learn how to rest and be still.  I struggle to take a ten minute bath because I honestly don't even know what to do with myself when it is completely quiet.  I want to learn how to be still and rest. I don't want to have to fill every second by doing three things at one time.  I want to take advantage of silent moments and not fill them with tv, my phone and computer all at one time.  

I want to stop being anxious and have my mind constantly running and thinking and worrying.  I want to learn how to rest in God's presence.


I want to learn how to rest in the evening.  Sleep struggles and unpredictable nights have made many evenings anxiety filled, as I often dread the night to come.  I've always struggled with sleeping well at night, which has become even more difficult now that I have shorter windows of possible sleep.  I want to learn how to relax and quiet my mind so I can fall asleep when I go to bed.  I'm not sure how to get to that point but I want to try to work on it.  

I want to find my identity in God alone and be confident and content with the person is has made me and is making me.  I want to work on becoming the person that God desires me to be, but I want to rest in His grace because I know I fail over and over. 

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  Psalm 62: 1-2 

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25 comments:

Allyson McGuire said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a great word! I know I need to be doing more surrendering and resting. I can totally relate to you about your mind constantly running...I'm right there with you. Thank you for these verses!

Simply LKJ said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Love this Katie! I chose to be "still" this year. I feel like all of the other things I am most concerned about will fall into place if I just take the time to be still and be with God.

Cody Doll said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Awe that is a beautiful word for a new mom. It's so neat to read your word from last year and connecting it to this year. I can't wait to read all about it in you posts. =]

Brittany T. said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

beautiful! i need to be more still too and realize that God is GOd and is full of mercy and has my life in His hands. <3

two birds said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Beautiful post! What a great word to choose. I love the idea of choosing a word for the year. You've inspired me to do so, as well!

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Rest. What a beautiful word choice. I chose FEARLESS for 2014 because I feel like I need to learn to believe in myself more and do things even if they scare me!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Rest is a good word - especially for you.

I chose Manage. Even though I did make goals for myself. I think everyone should still make goals not really resolutions.

:)

- Manda

Pamela said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Love this & the word you chose! So powerful!

Sybil@PeaceitallTogether said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I love every bit of this, Katie. You have read my mind. Rest is something I am seeking this year too. Praying for you, my friend.

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

It is so much easier said than done... Especially if you have insomnia.... It's hard not to do three things at once because we have these little windows of time.... I wish you rest rest rest in 2014 and I am taking your advice and giving my life over to God... That's easier said than done too but I will try:)

Charming Lucy said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Ahh rest. I need that word too. Thanks friend(: Susan

Allison said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a great word for 2014. I love all the areas you want to find rest in. So wise my friend. Happy 2014!

Helene in Between said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

what a wonderful word to choose. i absolutely love it. so many good things to come for you in 2014!

Kristen said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Exodus 33:14 is extremely dear to my heart. I don't have one word, but yes, Rest is one of my many words. So necessary. Thanks for sharing.

Colleen said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is a fantastic word! I need to learn how to rest in general better! I chose faithful this year, I need to be faithful in knowing that God knows the plan for my life! :)

Praying for you today!

http://colleensamantha.org

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh, I love this idea! What a beautiful way to approach the new year. As a new mom, I can appreciate how difficult at times, but how necessary it is to "rest" and have faith in God. Okay, now I'm feeling inspired. I'm going to come up with my own word... hmmmm... :)

The Lady Okie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I pray you can fully find rest in him this year. Blessings to you, Katie!

Lauren {By Lauren M} said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a beautiful and inspiring post. Being still is definitely something I could improve on!!

Autumn said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Beautiful post. I need to work on both surrendering and resting. Sometimes we need to just "be", and not "do" so much.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

That is a great word to choose. I enjoyed reading this post as I could very much relate to it. I was inspired by it and am trying to work on these areas as well. Glad I am not alone. Thanks for sharing :)

Rachel said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Different seasons bring an even greater need for REST! I think this is a wise choice of a theme for the year!

Jessica @ Here&Now said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Thank you so much for sharing! I definitely need to learn how to "rest" my anxious mind and "rest" assured that I can't control everything. Cheers to 2014!

xx
Here&Now

The Girl who Loved to Write said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

A great word and reminder for the new year!

Susannah said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a wonderful word for the year! I pray that you truly will find rest in 2014!

Leah @ Everyday Love said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

beautifully written. I felt the same way when I was pregnant after two miscarriages. I still need to focus on surrendering my fears to Him.