I love our New Year’s Eve tradition…we play games, eat yummy treats, watch movies and relax in our pajamas. We’ve done this for as long as I can remember, and it is a wonderful way bid farewell to one year while ringing in the next.

The most meaningful  part of the night? Setting goals.

We’ve done this in lots of different ways…we’ve chosen family goals, set individual goals, adopted healthy habits. For a while, we used Luke 2:52 as a theme, and we set goals to enhance our minds, bodies, relationships, and faith. And, for the last several years, we’ve each chosen “one little word” as our “theme” for the year.

My word for this year?

LIFT.

When I told my mom, she said, “What are you going to do with THAT word?”

Hopefully, a lot.

There are several spaces in my house that really need a lift…the garage, the basement, my office…they need to be tidied up and set to rights so they can be useful and functional.

My blog needs a lift, too…some re-designing and some fresh content. Maybe some new pictures…

I have some folks in my life who could use a lift. Folks who are dealing with illness, transition, and brokenness. Friends who are facing new challenges. I want to be sure that I’m in-tune with their needs so I can give them a lift with my words and actions, and my prayers.

I plan to lift myself as well…off the couch! Much of the last year has been spent on projects that keep my mind engaged, and my body still. Time to balance that out and breathe in some fresh air.

Finally, I need to lift up more of my concerns in prayer. I am a champion, world-class, varsity-level worrier. But I don’t HAVE to be…

I love the possibility of my word…the action of elevating that which is important and special and sacred so that my tiny light might shine a little brighter to others in the house. Some of this will be a joy, and sometimes it will require some “heavy lifting…” but I’m up for the challenge. After all, I’ll have help…

I will LIFT up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
² My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
³ He will not allow your foot to slip;
He is always watching, never sleeping
⁴ God Himself is caring for you.
~Ps. 121:1-4

Hello, 2014. So glad to meet you.
Can I give you a lift?

_____________________
What’s YOUR theme for the year? Tell me!
~Katie

Photo cred: Andre Chinn (Creative Commons)