My Word For This Year

We all escape our realities by doing something. Maybe your vice is online shopping, maybe it’s the mindless scroll, maybe it’s a bottle of alcohol. Acceptance of some of life’s hardships are difficult.

“Home,” is my word for the year, and home is something that I’ve found hard to accept. Most of my life was spent in Thailand, but the rest of it was spent on the move. Moving provides an escape, and escaping is something I’m really really GOOD at.

In escaping, I can reject my reality. The pangs of loneliness, the rejection, the cold winters, the out of body experience of feeling like I don’t even recognize myself. Or more so, the three young children that are constantly screaming, needing me, and clinging to my every move. Sound familiar?

Three out of TEN car crashes happen less than a mile from home. I’m sure you have heard it said that most crashes happen when your guard is down. What if I took this statistic and applied it to my life? Am I being intentional at home? It is easy to get complacent with those closest to me. It’s easy to consistently dismiss, “home” because it’s not comfortable, joyful, or easy.

This year I am joining everyone in picking a word for the year and I felt strongly that it should be, “home.” Not only are we building a new house, but I have three little boys under the age of 4. Home is hard and exhausting most days. Yes I said it! I constantly feel the need to escape.. maybe like me, home isn’t comforting or easy right now. Maybe it’s plain hard. Maybe, “home” isn’t a word that conjures up synonyms like, “cozy, comfortable, sweet, joyful, or beautiful.”

This year, I’m going to metaphorically drive carefully near my house. I’m going to linger over my babies and remind myself that, “babies don’t keep.” I’m going to get up early and pray over my husband and kids. I’m going to choose silly things like, “fun throw pillows, bright pops of color, and hopefully a rattan bed frame.”

This year, you will watch me physically build a home. But under the surface, I will be doing more than that. I will be on my knees for my family, interceding for my kids, and praying to be physically and mentally PRESENT when things are just plain hard. Can I remind us both of something? Each and every person is molded by our homes. So, if a sweet word, a present attitude, a brightly lit candle, and a warm bed are all I provide for my kids this year then, “home” is what I’ve accomplished. Do you want to join me in asking God to help you give up our ways of escaping and setting our hearts to being present?