I saw a trend at the beginning of last year, particularly in the blogging world. People were choosing a word for the year. This word would be something they try to attain to or focus their goals around. Really it can mean what ever you want it to. I didn’t get into it. I’m not much of a trendy person.

I saw it again as 2013 rolled around and I thought for about a millisecond.

Do I have a word for this year? Nope.

I hadn’t really made any real goals this year. I was thinking I really just need to focus, pray, and see what God wants for this year.

Then it hit me.

I was watching A Christmas Carol with my kids, the 1951 version with Alistair Sim. We were enjoying the movie and nearing the end, when Scrooge wakes up from being visited by all the Spirits.

He wakes up from seeing the past, present, and the could be future. Waking up, not knowing if he’s dead, alive, or dreaming and he realizes he’s alive and it’s a new day.

He was delirious with happiness, so thankful just to be alive. He knew he didn’t deserve it, but he had been given another chance at life.

Scrooge had this giddy excitement of a child. He was alive. He had hope and he was overjoyed!

I watched this scene thinking- that should be me! I don’t necessarily have to act all crazy happy, but I should at least feel that way a lot more often.

I should have JOY.

This past year and even a few times in the past week I have felt a sadness. An unexplainable gloominess that just comes over me and I have trouble functioning, being motivated, being happy, even staying away from my cozy, quiet bed. Some might call it a mild depression, but honestly I’m so tired of the d word.

I would have other days that would go well: a day of good homeschool, feeling caught up on housework, putting up a good blog post. Those days I was happy, but those things wouldn’t last and neither did my elated mood.

Why should I have joy?

I have been given a second chance. I have been born again. I get to live eternally! God is for me! Who can be against me? (Romans 8:31) There is no more condemnation for I am in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:1) There is so much more, but I think you get it.

Does this mean I will jumping for joy with a delirious smile on my face every moment of every day? Um, no. This is all more than claiming a word. I have, in fact, already had my moments of struggling to choose joy. In the morning when I rise, and every moment after I have to cling to Jesus. I have to remember him, seek him, and know that he is good.

I need God and he needs to be the foundation of my JOY.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Do you have a word or theme for 2013?

Thank you to Melanie, from Only A Breath, for supplying me with this beautiful one word graphic.

Linking up my One Word with Only A Breath and One Word 365.