My One Word for 2019

We’re all in the process of becoming who we are. 

I’m not sure if this is a direct quote or where it originated. But since I first heard it, the thought has left a deep imprint on my heart.

In recent years, I’ve been a close-up spectator (and sometime-supporting actor) as my parents have lived out the drama called the aging process. I’ve observed how they have reacted, adjusted, grown and struggled through some monumental challenges.

I’ve seen qualities I never realized they possessed shine forth like the midday sun, and I’ve seen other traits that I’ve known about all along present themselves in new and perplexing ways. It’s been an unforgettable journey, to say the least.

Through it all, I have come to care deeply about the kind of person I am becoming, the kind of person I will be when I’m old. It’s not about legacy or what people will think of me as much as it is about the example I’m setting for my children now and the character traits I hope will be present in their lives when they are my age and older.

These are new trains of thought for me, though I suspect countless others been guided by them long before they occurred to me. Once I got on board, however, I’ve been all in.

Which leads me to the real topic of this blog post—my One Word for 2019. Before I introduce my new word for the year, I usually write about the previous year’s word—what it meant to me, how it helped me, what it might look like in my life going forward.

At some point, I’ll share with you how the word bold served as a sort of North Star for my life in some very powerful ways in 2018. It continues to do so, in fact, which might be why I haven’t been able to write that post yet.

As is my custom, I started contemplating a word for this year several months ago. At first, I wondered if I would even have one. How was I going to top bold? I asked myself.

Then a new word started filtering through my mind—always in the context of what I want to be like when I’m old. I kept hoping it would go away, but I secretly knew from the start that this was to be my One Word for 2019.

Humble.

Honestly, I feel a bit sheepish even writing it. As words of the year go, it’s not very flashy or inspirational. But I’ve seen God use past words in my life in some pretty remarkable ways, so I’m OK with that.

To me, a humble person is someone who is not proud. That might seem obvious, but pride manifests itself in many ways, some more subtle than others. And the opposite of every one is colored by humility.

A humble person has her opinions and holds firmly to her most important convictions, but she doesn’t stubbornly insist that she is always right. She doesn’t think herself better than others. She doesn’t hold grudges. She doesn’t have an insatiable need to defend herself and her ideas. She doesn’t have to have the last word.

She doesn’t put her comfort level, her routine or her preferences ahead of anyone else’s. She understands that she can’t do life alone, and she is willing to acknowledge and accept that God’s plans for her might look nothing like her own plans.

I could go on, but I think you get the point. And you probably also see why I was hoping this word would just go away. None of this comes naturally to me—if you want proof, just ask my husband and daughters.

The Bible has a lot to say about humility, but the passage that most often comes to my mind is Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Others above self. That’s a tall order, for sure.

I’m not gonna lie—I’m a bit apprehensive about selecting humble as my word for 2019. But I was nervous about choosing bold last year and fierce the year before that, and both words have been pivotal as I continue the process of becoming who I am.

I have no idea how this is all going to play out. This time next year, however, I have a feeling I just might be saying the same thing about humble.

♥ Lois

By the way, I know I’m a little late to the party, but if you’ve chosen a word for 2019, I’d love to know what it is (and maybe even why you chose it).

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Let’s Have Coffee, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.