Word of the year 2020... Hope

I recently wrote about this in my journal and thought I would share it with you here. I've thought about many different words this January and had a hard time narrowing it down to just one word to think about, meditate on, and pray about. The main word I keep coming back to is hope.

On the cusp of a new year, I have many hopes. I hope to exercise more. I hope to eat more fruits and vegetables. I hope to eat less sugar. I hope to spend my spare time well. I hope to read (at least) 15 books in 2020. I hope to be closer to God and read His Word more. I hope to honor God in my life, and as a wife, as a mother.

I hope that my kids do well in school. I hope my kids and I have good friends. I hope my back pain doesn't bother me too much. I hope we can stay within our budget for the month, and for the year. I hope that work goes well for my husband. I hope that my relationships will grow in a godly way.

The Bible says that man plans his way but God orders his steps. (Prov. 19:21) I'm praying about what God wants me to do this year. I feel called to lead VBS again this year. I can take what I learned and use it to be a little better. I think others on my team want to do the same... a little better each year. While I am not super excited about the VBS theme, I've felt that way before and always enjoyed it.

HOPE:
(definition) -the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
- to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence
-to believe, desire or trust
-to feel something desired

Here are a few verses related to hope that I love:


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (Sidenote: this is also a prayer for my children)

"Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why are you so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5

"The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." Psalm 147:11

"... but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31


While I do not know my 2020 holds or any of my future, I know who holds my future in His hands, today and every day. I choose to trust God and put my hope in Him.