I know, I know, we’re all pouring out our goals and resolutions and even our “one word” for 2017 —there’s just something fresh and appealing about starting the year with hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Personally, I’m not a fan of anything I can dismally fail at, so resolutions are a no-no. Goals are cool, and I have plenty for 2017—some lofty and others teeny-tiny (and achievable!) But I’m a wordy girl and therefore the #oneword365 is my favourite, as I get to focus on one word throughout the whole year. And my “one word” is…
Isn’t it the best? Some years I’ve had scary ones like “OPEN” (yeah, I ended up in India) and last year’s “BLESSING” was kinda nice but kinda innocuous and safe. “GRACE” is one those words that makes you simply exhale. But there’s such depth in it, such profound beauty, and practical application—”Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind.” (Matthew Henry) It’s something we can never fully grasp, but is always fully given by our loving heavenly Father. It’s also something I need to work on in my attitude and relationships with others…
For me, I think of grace as a triple-whammy:
- GOD’S GRACE TO ME—that amazing, free gift that I in no way deserve or could ever hope to earn. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
*I want to dig in deeper and learn more about God’s grace.
- GRACE GIVEN TO OTHERS—that kindness and compassion shown to our friends, strangers, family, neighbours, and anyone in between, even if they don’t “deserve” it—actually, especially when they don’t deserve it! “I receive grace. And through me, grace could flow on. Like a cycle of water in continuous movement, grace is meant to fall, a rain…again, again, again.” (Ann Voskamp)
*I want to show grace to others freely—with a good dose of patience, kindness, and generosity.
- GRACE TO MYSELF—this may seem self-absorbed, but in reality we are told in the Bible to love others as we love ourselves. Many of us are way too critical with our work, home, mothering, health, fitness, bodies, or even ministry: “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people.” (Anne Lamott)
*I want to do the very best I can in all areas, but allow myself some grace and leave the pressure of perfectionism outside the back door.
So… I’m going to need wisdom for sure. And I’ll find it in God’s Word and in listening for His voice. Grace is going to be on my mind and in my heart—feel free to remind me when I’m not being very grace-full!
Oh, that this would be my desire for 2017! That my supreme treasure would be “GRACE”— God-given, glorious grace. That I would seek His wisdom and be a conduit of that grace every single day to everyone I encounter! And if and when I mess up… there’s always grace! Are you with me? 🙂
Do you have “one word” for this year? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear what it is.
All the grace to you for 2017, friends!
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
yes! it IS the best word! love it and pray God’s grace permeates every moment of your day of 2017. sue
So glad you agree, Sue 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by with your kind words! Blessings to you for 2017!
and congrats on all your published works – i took a few moments to scroll through – a busy gal – perhaps I’ll try your agency?? I have a niece – a beloved niece – who is Canadian. Perhaps that would help! (:
Thanks so much! Actually I only recently signed with my agent, so my current books are published with Dancing With Bear Publishing (I found them myself!) And they are in the States— you might want to check them out 😉
Love your word (and what it means!) Mine last year was rekindle (and my husband and I ended up growing closer for sure, as well as leaning on God big time through hard times). Thanks for sharing this. I am a recovering perfectionist so I too want to leave that out that back door and grab what God has for me.
Hi there Meg— ooo I love “rekindle”! That sounds very special indeed, and so glad you can now look back and see how God worked through it all… I hear you with the perfectionism 😉 Blessings to you in 2017 and thanks for taking the time to share here!
Oh the riches God will reveal as you focus on Grace. My word this year is Now. Not quite sure what that’s about, but it will be an adventure. Blessings from #TellHisStory.
Hi Ginger— yes, I’m really looking forward to the whole grace thing! “Now” sounds fascinating… I wonder what God has in store for you 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by— blessings for the coming year!
Love your post and Grace is a great word for the year. Mine is JOY! I want to learn to seek God’s joy in all that I do and go through. Seeing Him helps me deal with life so much better. Be blessed!
Making Joy Contagious
Thanks so much for stopping by, Desiree— joy is such a wonderful word for 2017 (I would totally pick that one randomly out of choice— joy is AWESOME!) May the joy of the Lord be your strength as you head into another year—Blessings to you 🙂
I love the thought of Gods Grace because its never ending and unmerited. There’s no way of completely understanding or comprehending all that God gives with it. Its unmerited and unbelievable how unlimited it is. Its about faith. Beautiful post!
Hey Carmen, thanks ever so much for taking the time to comment— so glad you like the “grace”! The more I dig into it, the more marvellous and mind-blowing it becomes… truly amazing grace! Blessings to you 🙂
Grace- Beautiful word for the year! “That my supreme treasure would be “GRACE”— God-given, glorious grace. That I would seek His wisdom and be a conduit of that grace every single day to everyone I encounter! And if and when I mess up… there’s always grace!” Love this!!!
Hi Nicci, thanks very much for stopping by— grace truly is breathtaking, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the post, and God’s richest blessings to you for the coming year 🙂
Great post! I love it! My word for this year is relationships. As I am getting older, I’m learning that relationships are the real treasures of life. So I want to work on building and expanding on the treasures that money cannot buy.
Hi there Melissa— thanks for your kind words 🙂 I love your word “relationships”— I often need the reminder to invest in people and spend my time wisely in that light. Appreciate you stopping by— blessings to you!
You chose a great word, Laura! My word is Act. I have waited a long time to pursue a dream, and 2017 is the year to take action. Glad to be in the By His Grace Bloggers group with you!
Hi Sarah— isn’t the By His Grace Bloggers Group amazing? Love these ladies! I’m excited for you with “ACT”… sounds like this will be a pivotal year for you pursuing your dream. Wow! Thanks for stopping by— blessings to you!
Beautiful word, and a saving one. It is by His Grace that I am here. Thank you for sharing!
Oh yes, Cindi—isn’t that the truth? So grateful for His saving grace! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and encourage 🙂 Blessings!
This is the first year that I have ever heard “One Word” my pastor was talking about this in his sermon. My word that keeps popping up is “Faith” So I am excited to see where that goes,.
Hi Connie— the “one word” thing has been around for a few years, and I just love it! Amazing how God can bring us back to it during the course of the year, and how at the end you can look back and see where it popped up and how you learned and grew through it. “FAITH” is great! How exciting for you 🙂 Thanks for stopping by—blessings for 2017!
Perfect post and beautiful blog! Oh Grace, how I love you!
Thanks for stopping by, Becca, and for your very kind words 🙂 Isn’t GRACE the best? Blessings to you for the coming year!
Grace is a perfect word- a word for every situation. God’s grace is always available to us and flows through us as we abide in Him. Nothing could be more beautiful. Thanks for sharing this. Your neighbor at Thought-Provoking-Thursday. May your soul be refreshed in His grace.
Cheryl, thanks so much for stopping by with your encouraging words! I’m looking forward to dwelling on and learning more about grace this year. Blessings to you 🙂
Hi Laura,
What a lovely website. Grace is my absolute favorite word. Ever. 🙂 Your three points are so grace focused, so full of the favor that He extends and I love that you were reminded to give it to yourself as well as others. We do need to learn that very difficult skill but thankfully He has abundant patience for us.
Praying your grace journey is full of His well-timed dose of mercy and joy.
Blessings,
Dawn
Hi there Dawn— thanks ever so much for your lovely encouragement 🙂 Grace is certainly a special word for so many reasons… I’m looking forward to appreciating it more and learning how to be more generous with it to others for sure! Blessings to you for the coming year!
Grace is the best, yes? What a great choice for the year. I’ve chosen Story. I hope to see lots of grace in that one as well! Blessings on your new year, Laura!
Oh yes, Lisa, grace is definitely the best! “Story” is certainly an interesting one… looking forward to seeing how that unfolds for you 🙂 Blessings to you and yours for 2017!
Laura, I absolutely love this word! I like how you it broke up into the three categories: God’s grace, grace to others, and grace to ourselves. We definitely need all three, and we certainly can’t extend grace to others or to ourselves without God’s bountiful, amazing grace lavished on us! My word is freedom. Praying that we are all GRACEfully filled with the freedom and power we have through Christ! Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Christin— such an encouragement! Grace really is breathtaking. Blessings to you and yours for the coming year 🙂
I love this! Especially hearing you went to India. Someone must have taken advantage knowing that was your word for the year. But Grace! How awesome is this. I believe it can teach us to receive God’s grace, show grace to others, and to ourselves. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Lorin— thanks so much for stopping by! I was kind of bracing myself for something big when the India year happened 😉 Grace is just such a spectacular thing— on all counts. And I guess it really should be my word for every year… Blessings to you!