My Word For 2021

 A few years ago a friend inspired me to choose a "word" for the new year, rather than making a resolution and it is a practice that has stuck with me.  In recent weeks I've been thinking about it and I decided that my word for 2021 will be...Free.  This year I read Jen Hatmaker's book Fierce, Free and Full of Fire and I guess you could say that she somewhat inspired me to pick this word but what has also motivated me is just how this year has gone for me personally.  I have been going through what they call a "deconstruction and reconstruction" of my faith and it has changed my perspective on so many things.  I've also really been learning about who I am and discovering what my real passions are. When I think about how I want "free" to be my focus of next year, I think of being...

Free to accept my body and learn how to love her

Free to doubt and ask questions about my faith knowing that God will not "break" or fall apart when I do

Free to think my own thoughts and speak them out loud

Free to love my husband and children with my whole heart but also free to mess up and let them down (because I will)

Free to love my neighbors as Jesus would which might look like self sacrificing and giving more

Free to keep loving my Dad and praying for him even though he doesn't talk to me or even see the word "Dad" in the same way I do...but also free to have boundaries and protect myself

Free to try new things (like going back to school) and reject the lie that I'm "too old" or not "enough"

Free to care for myself and not just by taking a bath...but really look at what it means to "self care" because I know if I don't everyone around me will suffer

Free to be different and think differently and free to not care if people don't "like" that

Free to step back from social media and be more present

Free to just BE


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