Each year around this time, I, like most of you I’m sure, start thinking about goals, resolutions, and ways to better ourselves. For the past few years, I have chosen a “word” for my year. I don’t have a long list of plans and rules to follow because that has not ever worked for me, but the idea of One Little Word® has. This one little word® has always been a little bit of magic and has flit unseemingly into my mind weeks before the upcoming New Year. It replays and replays into my mind until I capture it and claim it as mine. This year has been a bit different. My computer had to be sent away for almost a month in December which threw me off bit, the holidays, life changes, and everything else became a jumble and come January 1, 2016, I still didn’t have my one little word®.
I was checking my email, on my NEWLY and BEAUTIFULLY fixed laptop, when I received this gem from Shanna Noel in the Illustrated Faith Newsletter.
One of my most intimate connections with God throughout this past 9 months has been the realization that He and I are both creators. Creation is a wonderful thing to think about as we think about the Creator God. Creation is all around us every day. From new grass or flowers that just seem to pop up in the spring to sunsets and clouds painting our striking blue skies. It is everywhere, so much so that I had taken that for granted. God is a Creator God and He has blessed me with the gift to be a creator as well. You would think that being an Art Teacher would have helped me make this connection sooner but it wasn’t until I started Illustrating my Faith and documenting God’s beautiful words in the way that made the most sense for me as a creative person. So this year, my word is “Create.”
This year I am going to create with God’s word. I am going to use this lovely printable as a way to document my journey and my word for 2016. My first creation was this little header I created in Photoshop Elements. I now have a copy of this to stick in my planne and to use as my computer desktop image . I can print it out and stick it pretty much everywhere to have that constant reminder to Create in 2016.
I want to create a life where I am seeking to be more Christ-like in all aspects. I want to createmeaningful friendships and relationships and interactions. I want to create a homelife where my daughter can see me worshiping the Lord in ways that I long for. I want to create a classroom for my students filled with kindness, and gentleness and joy and peace. I want to create a healthier temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in me. I want God to create in me a pure heart and to restore a steadfast spirit within me.
I can not wait to be able to share my journey with you all this year and to follow along in yours as well! I would love to hear any goals that you all have for yourselves this 2016.
Create was my 2008 word! It’s still the word I live my life by. I even got it tattooed on my left wrist as a reminder. :) Can’t wait to see what you do with this, Janel!
Love your word! And love your heart!
Where do I find the calendar?
Create is my word this year too.i want to create better relationships, create a home that is loving and hospitable and last, but not least…Create!