Something Beautiful

As many of you know, I always choose a word of the year. I’ve been doing it for years and often times the Lord reveals that word to me sooner rather than later, or even right on time. 

Last year, my word was “RELEASE” and the Lord had me put that into practice on more than one occasion. Even though I forgot about it at times, He always reminded me of it (or used someone else to), when I needed it most. Release is one of those words that sounds easy, but is extremely hard to put into practice.

When the Lord put that word on my heart at the beginning of the year, I had no idea what He would teach me through it.
I had no idea I’d have to release so much control I didn’t even realize I was still holding on to.
I had no idea I would have to release fear when my boyfriend (now fiancé) injured his achilles tendon at the beginning of the year.
I had no idea I would have to release fear yet again when he underwent surgery for that injury.
I had no idea how much I would have to release when he couldn’t drive and we had to learn how to navigate our relationship across town while he was recovering.
I had no idea I would have to release when a proposal didn’t come when I thought it was going to.
I had no idea I would have to release when the work promotion didn’t come.
I had no idea I would have to release when the jealousy got in the way of me being happy for people with different events happening in their life.
I had no idea I would have to release when…..

I. Had. No. Idea. 

But the Lord has a funny way of using our “i have no idea” into, “HE knew”. When He put that word on my heart in January, HE KNEW! He knew all the things that would happen in 2023 before I even began to experience them. He knew I would need that word and the reminders He gave me to cling to Him and look to HIM for my peace and comfort and strength when I didn’t know what else to do or started to get too depressed. 

This year, He revealed my word right on time. I had barely begun to pray about it when He showed me….

PRESS IN.

Honestly, this word kind of scares me. According to the dictionary, “press” means “to apply pressure to or to move or cause to move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force”; and in means, “expressing movement with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else.”
But I also see the beauty in it.
Pressing in to the Lord when having pressure applied to you is something that only He can help with.
Release.
It’s not easy, but He also gets the glory from it.

The last few months I’ve begun to do just that. Press In. Press In to the Lord no matter what. I have no idea what 2024 holds, but I know who holds it, and I have a relationship with Him. 

There are many exciting things on the books for this year (including marrying an incredible man!) and I’m excited to see what He’s going to teach me as I begin to press in to Him more and more each day.