For the past five or six years I’ve had a word for the year, a word to help me see God working in my life. Last year‘s word was ABUNDANCE. I found that abundance can show up in many different ways; ways I was not necessarily imagining.

I expected an abundance of joy. I did not expect an abundance of doubt, or sorrow, or money. But here at the end of the year, these are the things that stand out. Doubt, when I struggled with my first experience of having my writing edited, and when I fell behind in the courses I signed up for. Sorrow, with the loss of my mom, and my 16 year old dachshund. Sorrow, when I broke my wrist and couldn’t type or perform basic tasks without help. And money, inheritance money that came as a surprise while we are still waiting on the estate to process. Money that has blessed us with extras we had planned for the future.

Were these the abundance God poured out? At first glance I might say no, but each one built my relationship with God, drawing me into dependence on him above all else, setting the stage for my new word: FRESH.

The sense I get from this word is not a rehashing of old things but a newness, a fresh start, a fresh perspective, and new opportunities. Already I have two new opportunities to check out on my calendar. I’ll let you know how they turn out. For now, let me share three scriptures and a song that came with my word for 2023.

And God-Enthroned spoke to me and said, “Consider this! I am making everything to be new and fresh. Write down at once all that I have told you, because each word is trustworthy and dependable.”

Revelation 21:5 TPT

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

Jeremiah 31:25 ESV

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV

Fear is Not My Future – this song spoke to me. It’s a new horizon. All the old ways I’ve allowed worry or doubt or depression to color my perceived failures are about to fade into the sunset. The sun is rising, a new dawn with new mercies every morning.

I pray God will reveal the new horizon for your 2023. I pray his word to you will be as dear to you as mine is to me. And I pray that no matter what 2022 looked like, that you will find 2023 will be exceedingly, abundantly full of God’s presence.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy