I think it is safe to say that we all like to control our calendars, our plans, our emotions, our health, our relationships, and basically everything. I am sure we have all had our ups and downs at some point throughout 2021. Admitting we really don’t have control is the first step to surrendering everything over to God. One prayer that has always helped me maneuver through trying to control life is the Serenity Prayer; God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

This prayer has inspired my word for 2022; Serenity which means the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. I think it is safe ro say we would all love a calm, peaceful, and untroubled life. In reality there will be many days the exact opposite. I can remember the serenity prayer and have the courage to change what I can. The scripture I have picked to stand on comes from Rom 15:13 NIV; “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.” The gift of the Holy Spirit will also give me the wisdom to discern what I can not control.

From that same scripture I pull out the word “trust”. Trusting God with today, not worrying about what tomorrow will bring. I challenge us all to pay attention to how much our minds drift into tomorrow throughout our day. It is natural for us to dream and plan and even more natural to worry. From that I choose my mantra; Live for Today. If we don’t surrender today, tomorrow will hold us in chains. If we don’t surrender our best laid plans, our control may become out of control.

Choosing a word of the year can be what you want it to be. It can be as detailed as you have read above or as simple 😉 as you want it to be. The important part is that we remember that word and or mantra throughout the year. Even more important that with Gods help we grow from that word. Deborah and I have found it is easier to stick with a word for 365 days than it is a New Years resolution. What word or mantra will you choose?

In case you missed Deborah’s word of the year last week, you can click here.

I have run past this garden many times and seen all its beautiful phases. When you look at this photo today, you don’t see a garden. Yet underneath this grass is rich soil that has been carefully and thoughtfully taken care of. There are many steps to planting a garden. Once you know your location, layout, and what you want to plant, then you get the seeds and prepare the soil to plant. Once planted you have to weed, water, and control any pests. The harvest comes after the preparation.

On this Mindset Monday let’s look at this verse from Isaiah 26:3 NIV; “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Steadfast means firmly fixed in place. Just like the steps to gardening, we must stand firm and trust the process God has in place for us. Although the days, weeks, months, and years seem long sometimes, we can’t remove a step.

Today is the first Monday of the new year. We can move forward with a mindset to trust in the steps God has laid out for us. Let’s take one day at a time, not skipping a step. Will you choose to trust God with the process of your harvest?

We have been talking about our word of the year and mantras on Transformation Tips Tuesday. I plan to share mine for 2022 later this week. Today, on this Spiritual Sunday I wanted to reflect on 2021. Yesterday I was blessed to sit on the South Pawleys Creek with my mom and daughter. The wind was chilly but the sun made up for it with its warmth. I enjoyed the salty smell, cold sand in my toes, and the watching the sun’s reflection glistening on the water. I thought about this past year and how much we change and grow in a year.

In 2021 my Word of the Year was Refine, meaning to remove impurities and improve. The scripture I referenced came from 1 Peter 1:7 NIV; “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

My 2021 mantra was “To be a fruit bearer”. The scripture I referenced came from Galatians 5:22-23 NIV; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Spiritual Sunday can end our week or start our week. I encourage us all to look back on 2021 and reflect on love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What strengths and weaknesses do you see as you embodied the fruits of the spirit? Today can be a new day and new year to surrender and make changes. As we go to our places of worship we can ask God to refine us. We can surrender our impurities. We can seek God to guide us through 2022. Making small changes can start today. Small changes overtime can make a big impact!

Will you choose to surrender 2021? Will you choose to seek God to guide you through 2022?

I had a wonderful time this week vacationing in Bryson City NC with family. Each morning I was blessed to sit with God and look at this beautiful view. We all need time for rest and a break from schedules & to do lists. Although the next few days will be busy preparing and celebrating Jesus’s birth, it will be a good busy.

In both ragged schedules and time of rest, we depend on God to help get us from point A to point B. We must never forget to look to God first. The one who created the mountains can also move mountains. The one who moves mountains also wants to sit and rest with us. Nothing is too big or too small for our God.

On this Christmas Eve remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. Jesus was born in a stable and the three wiseman brought gifts that were not wrapped. Remember to live in the PRESENT 🎁 #livefortoday on this Finish Friday.

As we move closer to 2022, I ask that you share our blog with someone in need. Someone who needs to finish strong and start fresh.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I took this picture while sitting on the porch of a cabin. I was noticing the great view in front of me and as I looked up I saw a cross. I was reminded of the great things the Lord has done for me. We read in 1 Sam 12:24; “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”

The view in front of us may not always be great but we must make a choice to continually serve Him. We may not always have all our loved ones surrounding us but we must continue to be faithful in our journey.

I am thankful for the opportunity to spend quiet time with family. I get sad knowing that my Dad is not here with us physically but I know he would be so happy we are all gathering together in this beautiful place. I am thankful for my mom as she has come so far in her grieving journey and that she continues to honor my Dad’s legacy.

Will you take a moment today to consider the great things the Lord has done for you?

A good friendship, family, tribe, and or a furry friend often makes us better. A Water Walker is often never solo. Just like the Disciples had each other through both strong and wavering faith, we too have someone or someone’s to walk this life with. Although I don’t know the man and his dog in this photo, I can imagine the kind of bond they share.

My family helps me to love deeper and longer. My friendships help me to walk taller and smarter. My tribe helps me to endure and keep moving forward. My furry friends teach me unconditional love and intentionality. In Proverbs 27:17 NIV we read; As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

We all learn and grow from our relationships. That is what Jesus wants from us, a relationship. Just like Jesus reaching a hand out for Peter, we too need to keep reaching; “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”” Matt 14:31 NIV

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage us all to nurture our relationships by encouraging and loving one another. Don’t forget to reach a hand out. It could be a text, a phone call, a visit, or a card that is needed.

Do you have a furry friend? We would love for you to share a photo!

In 2020 my word of the year was gifts. I had chosen this word knowing it would take of different meanings throughout the year. In my initial blog post in 2020 I referenced 1 Peter 4:10 NIV; “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Just as Jesus was a gift disguised in swaddling clothes, our gifts sometimes get disguised. I encourage us all to take inventory of our gifts. I believe over the years as we grow in our walk with Christ, our gifts grow and change as well.

I also had a necklace made that year. One side inscribed “Gifts” and the other side inscribed 2 Cor 9:15 NIV; “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” This was meant to be a reminder to always be thankful for the incredible gift of God’s Grace through His son Christ Jesus.

Whether it is gifts of service or gifts of grace, it is a good word to carry and reflect on throughout the year. We are getting closer to 2022. Will you be picking a word or mantra for the year? We would love to know what you have chosen. Please feel free to let us know in comments.