FCS Blog

Word for the Year

There are several things that I used to do that I don’t anymore. I don’t roll through stop signs like I used to
because of two $150 tickets. I don’t watch as much sports now because other things in my life are more
important. I don’t get as angry as I used to because that was hurting too many relationships. I bet there
are things in your life that you have stopped doing for one reason or another.
Another of those things that I have quit doing is New Year’s resolutions. I would make a few of them each
year with high hopes and steadfast resolve. I would do well keeping them for a few weeks, even a couple of
months for the ones I was most excited about, only to eventually quit. I was tired of not following through
with them, so I quit making resolutions. I did nothing of the sort for several years.
A few years ago, I read a book that suggested having a word for the year to help guide your thoughts and
actions. Granted, the book also suggested making resolutions and goals for the year, but I ignored that
part. I did this about three years ago with the phrase Be Still. I tried to take a few minutes several times a
day to just be still in God’s presence. The following year, my word for the year was linger; I tried to linger in
moments with my family and friends to treasure those moments and make them lasting memories.
I was reading a blog for an author that I follow about a year and a half ago. In this blog, he said that he was
choosing his word for the year from the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 which says,

“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.” I knew I didn’t want to choose patience/forbearance because I get plenty of
opportunities to practice that without asking for it. This past year, my word was peace which I brought to
mind often when I was feeling pressured or stressed. This year, my word for the day is self-control. I felt I
could do better in a few areas of life, and self-control would be helpful to get better.
Everyone has their own way of doing things that work for him or her. This has been working for me with the
help of God. My hope and prayer for you is that 2026 will be a year of being in God’s will and blessings.

God Bless,
David