Déjà Vu

It was New Year’s Eve and in parades my little sister seeking my nod of approval for her evening attire. She wasn’t going for glam as she was only headed out for a night on the town with her three-foot date, my four-year old nephew. She was cute. But what wasn’t cute was that her outfit was a replica of the one I had worn the New Year’s Eve before: medium stained blue jeans, black high-top sneakers, and a black long-sleeve with the words “Grace Wins” printed boldly across the chest.

That wasn’t the only thing that appeared the same as the year before. I was sick. And in like manner, I headed to the doctor the very next morning as I had in 2022 seeking a cure. Do you know what else was similar about this picture? Me faced with the reality of parting ways with someone I really wish could stay. How I was handling it though was much more gracefully. And I guess I could attribute that to these two words: mind shift.

I remember while eating dinner with a friend, he said to me that a woman can change her mindset in a moment. And I think that’s what was happening to me. Like the Israelites, I had been in circular motion for quite some time now, and I was finally getting God’s memo: We can go around this mountain as long as you need to; you’re not moving on until you accomplish the last thing I’ve asked you to do. The cure for my ailment of “seeing again” would be my new two-word resolution for the year: intentional and steady.

One of the ways I uncover what God is leading me to focus on is remembering highlights and repetitions. When something peaks my ear, heightens the alertness in my spirit, I take notice. And then I write it down. I’ll find that as I go along, those accentuated points are repeated. That’s how it was when I first heard the word intentional. It jumped out at me like a man and confetti springing from a giant birthday cake. As the days and weeks passed, it was a word that continued to resurface. And as I perused the little notes I keep for myself, I noticed that “steady” wanted a foot in the game this time around too.

I always ask God to provide a scripture reference or picture when He reveals my “word work” for the year. Steady’s was already in my notes and I didn’t even know it.

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” -Isaiah 54:10

I had made note of a dream in which I was leaning over a friend pointing out that verse in the Bible. Upon rewriting the definition of steady (which I had previously typed in my notes as well) it was evident that was my scriptural reference by the language:

Steady – firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.

I was a little unsteadied by what the mountains being shaken and the hills being removed could mean for me this year; but what I could be firmly secure in was that God’s love would be unfailing and His peace unremoved through it all. Steadiness was something I lacked, and the effect was a lot of rockiness in me, my pursuits, and my relationships. If I was going to be resolute this year, I’d need that firmness and balance too.

I have much more to say as I reveal the second word God wants to work in my life this year. But to do it here would be too much. So come back for my next blog to discover what He revealed about being intentional and how both words fit together. In the meantime, have you thought about your New Year New You resolutions? Are you a traditionalist with lofty goals, journals, and colored pens? Have you done the One Word Resolution before and found it beneficial? Want to try it if you haven’t or need to try again? Look here for insight on how to get started. But before you do, subscribe so you don’t miss part two.