Wednesday, January 4, 2023

My One Word for 2023

 


When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?  You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. ~Psalm 8:3-5


I don't think there is a one of us who has not echoed in his or her own words David's sentiment here.  We live in a vast, mysterious, unknowable universe and yet, because He created us, David declares that God is mindful of us in every moment of every day.

To our limited human minds, that seems both impossible and improbable.  We are so small in the light of infinite galaxies, nebula, grandeur, and grace the Lord's hands have wrought, that to venture into the complexities and wonders seems to be beyond our ken.  At the least, we feel inadequate and unworthy; at the most, we dare to believe that our loving Creator has set aside an honored place for us to worship Him and to serve His purpose here on earth.

This year, I want to explore what it means to be mindful of God's incomparable love in the day-to-day life I lead.  How does that knowledge play out in my prayer practice?  In my relationships with others?  Because I'm becoming mindful of God's presence more and more, is that enabling me to better do His will and walk in His ways to the honor and glory of His name?

At this point on the New Year timeline, I heartily believe that staying true to mindfulness will both humble and elevate the who I am in God's eyes.  I am certain this word will suit me well as I begin to navigate yet another year of life, and serve to bring me closer to Jesus as I walk with Him in hope, faith and trust.

With every mindful step, may God in me increase, and I decrease.

Amen!

35 comments:

  1. A very good word. I look forward to reading more about how your word helps you this year. Peace and blessings to you.

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    1. Thanks so much, Cecelia! I do think this word holds lots of promise for me.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Dearest Martha Jane,
    May God give us the strength to walk our life as true christians with high morals!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  3. Mindful sounds like a wonderful, thought-full choice, Martha! (Certainly not something lofty/pie-in-the-sky.) I look forward to what you want to share with us along the journey.

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    1. Thank you, Myra. I'm looking forward to that, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. We all need to be more mindful. Happy New Year, Martha!

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    1. I agree, Glynn. Happy New Year to you and Janet!
      Love and blessings!

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  5. My word for 2023--LOOK--is somewhat related to yours, Martha. I want to look OUT for God's involvement in and around me, look AHEAD with anticipation, look BACK with gratitude, look TO him moment by moment--you get the idea. If I remain faithful to look, I'll surely grow more mindful as well!

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    1. Oh, what a wonderful, promising word, Nancy! Yes, we can't be mindful unless we are willing to look around us, look to the future, and look at the past with understanding and thankfulness. Thanks for sharing your word here with us.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Being mindful is certainly a good thing to focus on in this new year. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about it. When I think of being mindful, the word observant also comes to mind. God continually gives so many good things to us, we would do well to be aware and mindful of his blessings. :)

    love,
    Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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    1. Amen, Ashley! Just as I said to Nancy about her word "look," being observant goes hand-in-hand with being mindful. I will be sure to check out your blog.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. An excellent choice, Martha. I still haven't had a word stand out for me but perhaps one will. I do pray each day that I be mindful of God's Grace and Mercy in my life. Hugs!

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    1. I'm so glad you liked my word of the year that chose me, Terri. Fear not! I think the Lord will provide you with a word when you least expect it, my friend. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  8. I love the word "mindful"...and excellent choice for you and for all of us to be mindful of how God is interacting with us in our daily lives. As you are "mindful", I am going to "Listen" to hear God's voice in my life in so many ways...kind of related to each other I think. We will both be doing some serious introspection as a result! Happy New Year dear friend.

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    1. These words compliment one another perfectly, Pamela, I agree! May our words guide us and lead us into a closer walk with the Lord.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. An excellent choice, Martha.
    I am going to listen for His soft promptings as I surrender everything to Him.

    Hugs and blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Veronica! Is "surrender" your word for 2023? If so, I think it's a great choice; something all of us need to remember.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. "May God in me increase... ", how I love this thought Ms. Martha. I think about that in my own life and the "one word" that comes to my mind (not that I do one-words, mind you) is "Surrender". For God to increase in me, I must surrender more of "me" to Him. For God to increase in me, I must let go of me to make room for Him. For God to increase in me, I must surrender to Him so He might scoop out the vile, dirty, rotten, flesh-driven, worldly parts of me and replace them with the fruit producing gifts that re-make me a bit more like His Son with each day. Wonderful choice of words my friend, and I'll be praying each day that you allow Him to perform an even mightier work in you this day ma'am. God's blessings.

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    1. Thanks so much, J. D., for your kind, thoughtful words here and for your insights. Surrender is a great word, especially when we need work in the humility department (I think that applies to everyone). Yes, may the Lord increase, and I decrease.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Looking forward to taking this journey with you Martha. I can't wait to see what is going to show you this year.

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    1. I'm so glad you wish to join me on this journey, Bill. I'm looking forward to what God wishes to reveal to me, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. To be mindful, every day, of God our Creator is the ultimate one-to-one relationship with Him. Very few people reach this state in life. At best we try; at best many fail to keep that relationship going. The important thing is to try once again.

    God bless.

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    1. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." There can be no better goal in our lives than to have God alive and present in our lives, Victor. I pray He will help me to be ever mindful of Him and His goodness.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Oh yes may I be so mindful Lord of all that you want to teach me and show me! Praying for you dear Martha and that this new year that the Lord has given to us will bring fresh and new beginnings for us to grow in HIM and serve Him. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thanks so much, Cindy! That is my prayer not only for myself but for every follower of Jesus. I'm sure I'm not alone in declaring that I'm in need of fresh and meaningful beginnings. May God continue to work in us and through us to accomplish His goals for this world.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. "With every mindful step, may God in me increase, and I decrease." Amen! Love this prayer! Also your word and how you will apply it to your every day steps. We all need it. Love and blessings to you, Martha!

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    1. Thank you so much, Trudy, for your thoughtful and heartfelt comment here. Indeed, we all need God's Word and the understanding of how to apply it to our every day lives. Lord, please open our eyes and our hearts!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Hey Martha, love this word and thought about being mindful. It's so necessary for life and the Christian walk. Happy New Year!

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    1. This word is absolutely a boon to us growing in our faith and trust in the Lord, Karen. So thankful to know Mike and you who live your lives with mindful appreciation of all God has blessed you with.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Dear Martha! I LOVE your word of the year! Just beautiful. May we all be ever more mindful of the mighty God we serve! The more we focus on HIm, the smaller the things of this earth will become to us. May He bless you in this new year, dear friend!

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    1. I'm so glad you liked my word, Cheryl! And you are so right that the more we focus on the Lord, the smaller our problems here on earth appear. Let us live with an eternal perspective.
      Love and blessings!

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