Three Word Wednesday: Happy New Year!

Here we are -- it's January 1, 2014! Admittedly, there were a few times I wished we could skip over this year. It sounded like a good year to hibernate. Surprisingly though, God has me rather excited about the New Year. Why would I be excited about a year without my husband?

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see." ~ Hebrews 11:1 (MSG)

He makes life worth living

Sure, there are days when getting out of bed takes a bit longer because my heart aches for my husband, but I don't give up. Instead, I hold on a little tighter to God. Words said by my pastor have stuck with me, "It's never ever worth it to let go of God."

Every day I wake I'm reminded I have the choice to either stay in bed or get up and hold on to the One I can put my faith and trust in. He makes life worth living. He makes it worth getting out of bed!

Another military wife, who I am grateful to take this journey with, shared on her Facebook page a quote from the book Tour of Duty by Sara Horn, "Life is full of ups and downs, but God stands over it all." Can I get an Amen?

Choosing One Word

The past couple of years I've switched from making a resolution for the new year to choosing one word to live and breathe by for the year.

2011 - Believe
2012 - Love
2013 - Embrace

When I chose the word embrace for 2013 it started with the purpose of embracing who I am in Christ. As I reflect back on the year, it appears God had other plans for me. I believe choosing the word embrace was more about surrendering to His loving embrace.

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you." ~ James 4:8

The past year was truly a year of growing closer to God. He was preparing me for the coming year without my husband.

For 2014 my word is Joy

When I come close to God, He makes life worth living. He makes my heart leap for joy.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." ~ Psalm 28:7

Don't get me wrong; I miss my husband immensely. I'm counting down the days until he returns home. Until that day, I know God wants me to experience joy. And there has not been a single day since my husband left where He has not made my heart leap for joy.

"Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another." ~ John 1:16 (GNT)

Blessing upon blessing; this is what He gives to us. And for all His blessings I will keep I'm singing. (Oh how I love that song!)

"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High." ~ Psalm 9:1-2

Goals for 2014

I have two primary goals for 2014. The first goal is to read through the entire Bible. This will be a first for me. I will be joining Tricia Goyer, and many other women, using the Women’s Guide to Reading the Bible through in a Year for this journey. I need my days to be filled with more and more of Him. I need Him to get through the coming year.

My second goal is to keep counting my blessings. I will keep on counting the reasons He makes my heart leap for joy.

Instead of hibernating through 2014, my eyes and heart are opened to experience the joy He has planned for me. Remember, our God does only good things. There will be plenty of ups and downs but His presence will go with me. He'll see this journey to the end (Exodus 33:14).

My wish for you in 2014

May you allow Him to infuse your lives with an abundance of JOY.

"I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of JOY and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13 (VOICE)

Happy New Year!

Now it's your turn to share three words.

1. Choose three words.
2. Share a post, photo, scripture — anything that highlights the three words you have chosen. (link up your post URL, not your blog homepage).
3. Family-friendly posts only. Anything else will be removed.
4. Grab the Three Word Wednesday button on my home page to use in your post or include a link back to my blog.
5. Find someone (or a few) to encourage with a comment.
6. We can also connect on Twitter with the #ThreeWordWednesday hashtag.
7. Don't have a blog? Share your three words in the comments or on my blog Facebook page.
8. Help spread the word and get others involved.
9. If you are linking up for the first time please include the word "NEW" in your link title.

I'm joining these lovely link-ups: Circles of Faith, Word Filled Wednesday, UNITE, #TellHisStory and Thought Provoking Thursday.