Happy New Year, friends!
It feels good to be back after a lovely two weeks off enjoying the Christmas holidays with my family. This year we tried something different and traveled to a winter wonderland with our extended family. We had a marvelous time! One of the highlights was that the kids got to experience snow for the first time and for us sun birds that was a real treat!
Then something happened.
I came back home. Reality hit. All of a sudden, the vacation was over. Within two days of returning home, the kids started school. The next day my husband returned to work, and then…well…life is already full speed ahead.
Where did the holidays go? Weren’t we opening presents just yesterday?
New Year, old me
I wish I could say that I had all my New Year plans and goals lined up like ducks in a row. Truthfully, my New Year started out with a bang yes, but in a way that left me feeling a little unprepared. Ok, maybe a lot unprepared.
You see, I’m a planner at heart. It drives my husband mad, but if you know me, you know that I like to have a plan for just about everything. I like to know where I’m going. I like to know what to expect next. I like the predictability of the next item on the list. (I’m a list-maker too).
As you can imagine, God really has a good laugh at me sometimes, because life doesn’t always run so smoothly. At least, certainly not according to my plans anyway. And trust me, that’s a good thing.
Yet, starting the New Year in such a frazzled state has left me reeling. I feel this incredible conflict between the desire to pause (and plan) and the drive to rush out and conquer 2016!
The Next Step is Enough
Even though I’m not a New Year’s resolutions kinda girl, I will be making some plans for 2016 using Grace Goals*. Whatever I do for the year will be guided by my One Word. (You can read here to find out how I approach my New Year using Grace Goals, my One Word and a vision board).
The word that God has put on my heart for 2016 is ‘ENOUGH’.
Enough: occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
I just love that! God wants to show up in my life in such a way that I know my demands, needs, expectations, have been FULLY met. And that it was all because of Him.
I feel blessed to think that God is, and will be, ENOUGH for me. I can already imagine how ENOUGH will play out in my life this year. I think about the times when I’m distracted by the many things vying for my attention. Then I can remember like Mary, in Luke 10, that only one thing is needed: to sit at Jesus’ feet, because He is ENOUGH for me.
But I have to admit that there is this quiet fear that lurks in my mind about my word ENOUGH. Questions swirl and I ask myself, ‘what will God take me through this year to teach me this lesson?’ And, ‘what will I have to give up or lose in order to really know that He is ENOUGH?’
But I tell you this, I will not give in to fear.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
And so, I accept the spirit of power that God has given me and I embrace my word boldly.
If God has chosen this word for me, He will see me through it.
Instead of being overwhelmed, I will move forward and do the next right thing.
Tweet ThisI will trust that God will give me just ENOUGH for that next step, just as he did for the Israelites. What an amazing example of ENOUGH the book of Exodus provides for us. For the next month (and possibly beyond) I will be studying Exodus and learning from the Israelites’ example.
I can’t pretend to know what God has in store for me this year. Even the best-laid plans cannot predict where He will lead me, what challenges will arise, or what blessings will follow. But I do know this: in 2016, my God will be ENOUGH for me!
What about you?
Will He be the one thing you will lean on this year? Will you look to everything else but him to fulfill your needs and desires? Or will you allow him to be ENOUGH for you?
If you’d like to join me in studying the book of Exodus, there is a great Bible study happening right now for the month of January on the First 5 App. You can find out more here and download it on your mobile device for free.
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I’m sharing this post with the 2016 Blog Hop at Create with Joy and some of these other amazing sites.
* I am an affiliate for Grace Goals. If you choose to purchase using my link, you get a revolutionary way to plan your New Year and I get a commission. That way we all win! Thank you.Â
May you continue to sparkle in 2016 and may God be enough for you!
I felt the same way after the holidays. We didn’t go anywhere and we were sick for a part of it and then January started and life just kept on going. I also love to plan and do like to know where i’m going. Enough sounds like a fabulous word to guide you through the year. I’m visiting today from the #taketime linkup.
Hi Bonnie, it’s so good to have you here. So far, the word ENOUGH has been just the word I needed. It’s causing me to slow down and re-prioritize in order to help me be more productive. Do you have a One Word for the year?
That is a fantastic word for the year! We always put so much pressure on ourselves. But our goal should be to make ourselves happy and content, not stressed out! Thank you so much for sharing! And thank you for linking up with us!! #TakeTime
Thank you for stopping by, Tarynn. I know that when I trust God to take care of me and the details of my day, I will be so much more at peace. By the way, I enjoyed visiting the #TakeTime bloghop and hope to join you there monthly. Wishing you blessings!
This is lovely! And I totally get you! Being the Good ‘Enuf” Mommy myself, that word is my jam. Thanks so much for your honesty and may 2016 be more than enough! Thanks for linking up with us at #TAKETIME blog hop!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Tiffany. My word keeps showing up in unexpected places and teaching me to rely on God. I’m learning to give myself a little grace too and be OK with being good enough even after trying my best. It’s in those moments I remember that God is truly enough.
I LOVE your “do the next right thing” quote…because “just do the next right thing” was one of my “guiding goals” for 2015 and is again for 2016 (along with speak less, play the piano more, and a couple others). Thank you for reinforcing the value of that! Stopping by from the Weekend Wind-Down party!
Thanks for visiting Elizabeth. Sometimes those little catch phrases can really help us stay focused. Sounds like your year is already off to a great start!
Your blog is delightful! I enjoyed reading about your one word. I blogged about mine today too. Excited to see what God will do in 2016 🙂
Hi Jody, thanks for your kind words. I love your word: ONE! We are on a similar journey to make God our ONE and only and ENOUGH for us in 2016! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your word with me! Wishing you blessings.
So good to have you back to blogging after the holiday. I can SO RELATE to feeling unready to start a new year. Thanks for this encouragement that GOD is MORE than enough! (And I love, love, love your new profile pic. So pretty!
Aww…Betsy, you’re too sweet. It does feel good to be back (but it felt good to have a break too). So glad we get to walk beside each other this year. I’m so excited about all that God will do — for sure whatever his plans, I know He will be ENOUGH.
I’ve seen several bloggers sharing their word for the year but I haven’t seen this one yet – awesome. Enough would be a good one for me too. Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
You’re right, Jennifer, I haven’t seen it anywhere else either. God must really know what He’s doing! 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by. I pray that God will be ENOUGH for you as well.
What an inspiring word!! Wow! Thank you for sharing this. I absolutely love your heart. <3 And yay! We both got our new picture by the New Year! 🙂
Yes, Stefani! We kept our word and got our pictures up! 🙂 I’m excited that we get to experience blogging and growing together. I know that God will be more than ENOUGH for us this year!
I love the Word God lead you to in 2016! So true GOD is more than enough! I am glad to be doing Grace Goals along side you as well!!! Sharing on Facebook + Pinterest this week!!!
Thanks for sharing, Johanna. And yes, Grace Goals is amazing. I’m so glad we get to walk closely together this year. Wishing you a year of ENOUGH! 😉
What a GREAT word! I love how you began to think about how God might teach you this … definitely a little scary. But I love that you are trusting Him! Looking forward to growing with you this year, Marva. And hey, I LOVE YOUR PICTURE!
Hi Dianne! Yes, I finally got the nerve to put my picture up. Talk about all things scary! 🙂 I’m so glad we could team up together this year and I’m so looking forward to growing together. May God be ENOUGH for you as well!
A great word for 2016. I’m looking forward to what God will show you about enough as you blog this year. My word is open.
Thanks so much, Ginger. I have a feeling my word will keep showing up again and again. As for your word, OPEN — that’s a great one. I pray that you will be OPEN to His plans for you this year and all the places He will lead you. Wishing you blessings!
Tweeted, pinned, getting ready to share tomorrow! Enough – I love that you chose this word. I feel it in my bones, this need to rest in God and know that I have enough time to do what He has prepared for me to do and that is all I need.
You and I have spoken of this before – this grabby need we bloggers have to do it all and have it all and be onto the next thing. This year, my word is Intentional (which will come out tomorrow), and I am purposing in my heart to do that very thing. I too wonder what God will bring into 2016 that I may hesitate to embrace (isn’t that just the way we women are – trying to control everything), but we can’t live in fear, you are so right!
I love your heart, Marva. SO excited to serve along with you this year!!!
Gosh, Ruthie, you saw it for what it is: my hesitation is out of a desire to want to control everything. 🙂 Even in writing about my word, God is teaching me a lesson. Love that He uses you to do so. I’m thankful to partner with you, my friend. Keep trusting Christ to lead you in an amazing way to be INTENTIONAL in all you do!
I love your word this year! It’s so important to remember that God is enough and to keep Him as the focus! <3
I love your word INTENTIONAL as well, Susannah. I’m excited for you and all the amazing adventures you’re looking forward to this year. I plan to be on-board with you for another month of Solidarity Sisters again soon. It was such a great experience!
Oh, the peace when He is enough. His grace is enough. His forgiveness. His love. Thank you so much for this wonderful encouragement. Blessings!
I’m always so happy to have you stop by, Deb. That peace is really what I’m after; everything else that I go after fails to compare to Him. I pray that our God will be ENOUGH for you this year as he has been before. Blessings to you and yours in 2016!
Hey Marva, I hadn’t even thought about my word for 2016. Like you, I like to know what’s going to happen so I know what to expect and can plan and prepare myself mentally. I think my word for 2016 will be GRACE. With our new little one I’m feeling like GRACE will feature quite a lot this year. Thanks for the thoughts and here’s looking forward to a wonderful year.
Hi Janelle, I’m so happy you stopped by. GRACE is something we all need but I will be praying for extra GRACE for you during this new and exciting season. Sending you hugs and wishing you and the family many blessings!
Good Morning Marva – I have to admit, I was drawn in by your graphic 🙂 I am so enjoying reading about everyone’s one word & the way the Lord brought them to it. May you find that God is enough for whatever comes your way this year for truly, He is our portion. I am so glad to have stopped here from Faith ‘n Friends today. Blessings to you & yours!
Hi Joanne, I’m so glad the image drew you in — it’s a picture of one of my favourite places that holds lots of good memories. Thank you for your good wishes. You’re so right, He really is our portion and I pray that He will be ENOUGH for you as well! Wishing you blessings!
Hello, Marva. God really has a good laugh at me, too, sometimes I’m sure. What with all my constant lists and expectations. But as I learn to let go of these, and take what God gives instead, I’m much more at peace.
Thank you for sharing your one word. Thank you for also sharing your quiet fears. I have them, too. My one word is ‘patience’. So fitting for this wanting-it-yesterday girl.
Sending you my love.
Wow, Gleniece we seem to be in the same boat with PATIENCE and ENOUGH. Thankfully God knows just which shore we need to pull into for refuge. There’s hope for us yet. ;-). Thanks so much for stopping by. Sending you hugs and a little bit of sunshine in return.
nice to meet you marva. i’m visiting here today. i enjoyed what you said about having “enough”. great words:)
Welcome, Martha. I’m so glad you stopped by and that you appreciated my One Word. I pray that you will be blessed with enough this year!
I love your One Word for 2016 and know that He is More than Enough for every moment!
Thanks, Lil. I believe that He is and so I move forward in faith! Wishing you blessings for 2016, dear friend.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Marva! I love how God gives us these words. I pray that you will be fully satisfied in Him! Love the new look by the way.🙂
Oh Carlie, you’re so sweet. Thanks for being so faithful — I appreciate you so much! Thanks for noticing the new look too. That means my hard work paid off. 🙂