I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. I think I’ve discovered a better way to start the new year. A few years ago I read a book about writing by the best-selling author, Debbie Macomber. In the book, Debbie told about how she chooses a word to focus on and think about every year. I liked that idea, and it inspired me to come up with my own word to meditate on for a year. After all, writers, and especially poets, know how important just one word  can be. In 2012 my word was “unity.” I focused my thoughts and prayers on unity in my family and in my church. In 2013 my word was “fulfillment.” I spent the whole year being grateful for all the full circle moments in my life. Gary and I celebrated our 40th anniversary, and Kristen and Robyn officially took over the business from their father. Now it’s 2014. Last week I decided that my word for the year should be “fit.” I got a new pedometer for Christmas called “fitbit,” but I also liked the idea that fit has more than one meaning. 

Can I get physically fit?
Am I a misfit?
Where do I fit in? or out?
What am I fit for?

Then I went to church on Sunday (Epiphany), and Pastor Johanna started talking about star gifts. She reminded us that we have been given many gifts by God, some of them concrete, like family, health, possessions, and some of them not so concrete, like time, faith, courage. The offering plate was passed around, and instead of putting something in, we were invited to take something out, a star shaped piece of paper with a one-word star gift on it. Mine was “experience.” I figure that when God speaks I should liste, even if He’s speaking through a piece of star-shaped paper. So, my word for 2014 will be “experience.” Already I’m thinking about how God wants me to use my past experience. I’m also wondering what new experiences God will have in store for me this year. I’m looking forward to the year ahead. How about you?