Inside: What we can learn from the dawn as we reflect on 2022 and look forward to a brand new year.
Some years, I can look back on the word I chose for the past 12 months and notice—sometimes to the point of goosebumps—how relevant and timely it was for my life during that season.
Fierce and bold, for the last years of my parents’ lives when helping them stretched me in ways I had never even imagined before. Full for 2020, when the world seemed to be falling apart but my grieving heart was starting to recover from my personal “worst year ever.”
I don’t get goosebumps when I consider dawn, my One Word for 2022. I’m OK with that, though. It even seems fitting, given the word itself.
Why is that?
While there are mornings when dawn is splashed across the sky in breathtaking fashion, most days, the sun rises without much fanfare. But here’s the important truth: it always happens. Day after day.
If there’s one physical fact we can be sure of on a planet where so much seems to be teetering on the edge of a cliff, it’s that the sun will come up tomorrow. I don’t know about you, but I find that to be both comforting and steadying.
Writing about Dawn
This year, I participated in a One Word blogging linkup hosted by my friend Lisa. As a result, I wrote more consistently about dawn than I have about past words. To the tune of eight posts, including this one.
If you missed them, you can find them here.
• One Word 2022: The Dawn of a New Year
• When a Missing Piece Pops into Place
• Praise the Lord, Come What May
• When We Wish Things Were Different
• Celebrating a Fun Blog Milestone (Plus 3 Most Popular Posts)
• How Friends Help in Every Parenting Season
• What to Remember When God Feels Distant
In these posts, I focused mostly on dawn as a noun, literally and metaphorically. This prompted me to pay much more attention to the actual sunrise than I ever have before.
New Seasons
I also pondered the possibility of something new on the horizon—as in the dawn of a new season of life—for me, as well for my daughters.
One turned 21 in November, and the other celebrated her 18th birthday last week. It seems obvious now that I think about it, but when you have two children who are three years apart, they hit these milestones in the same 12-month period.
It happened that way with my sister and me, although I wasn’t paying attention to such things back in 1988. Maybe my mom noticed, but I don’t know because I didn’t ask.
Moving Forward
There’s some sadness wrapped up in that statement. But perhaps there is also a deep breath of possibility. As long as we can talk, we can ask questions of the people who are still here. Questions that might lead to greater understanding, greater peace, greater love.
Maybe that’s why—as I think back over what dawn has taught me this year—the concept of hope stands out the most. As a favorite scripture puts it:
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“’The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV)
New morning, new mercies.
It’s the message on a t-shirt I just ordered from a friend who is preparing for missions work in Africa. But it’s also a truth we can all hang on to as we await the dawn of a new year.
♥ Lois
If there’s one physical fact we can be sure of on a planet where so much seems to be teetering on the edge of a cliff, it’s that the sun will come up tomorrow. I find that to be both comforting and steadying. Share on X As long as we can talk, we can ask questions of the people who are still here. Questions that might lead to greater understanding, greater peace, greater love. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up with OneWord2022, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
22 comments
Sounds as if DAWN has been a comforting word for you in some important ways. You have so much goodness ahead of you with your sweet girls!
It has been comforting, Michele. You have been a faithful mentor for the parenting road ahead, friend … so thankful God has allowed our paths to cross in this blogging world.
I love the important truth you highlight here, Lois: Dawn always happens. We can count on it. That is indeed comforting. In the dawn of this new season of life you are in, I pray it will be an exciting and meaningful one as you watch your daughters bloom into godly young women.
Thanks, Lisa. I know you know what this season is like … so many unknowns, but trusting that God will direct all of our steps. Merry Christmas hugs, friend.
I love that your feeling about “dawn” suits the concept itself, that steadying, comforting hope and truth we can count on! Can’t wait to hear your word for 2023!
The new word encompasses a lot, Bethany … I’m still thinking about how to introduce it. 🙂
It sounds like your word, Dawn, has brought an appreciation for what ‘could be’ overlooked. The dawn does take place each day, yet it is a spectacular painting done by the Creator – do we see it or pass by it with unseeing eyes? I like this, “New morning, new mercies, and new hope” as we await the dawn of a new year.
That’s a good way of putting it, Lisa … dawn “brought an appreciation for what could be overlooked.” Hugs, friend.
Lois, I truly enjoyed your dawn journey this year. While most tend towards the noun form, I kept lingering with the verb form. Similar in context, certainly, but it moves me to consider God’s ever moving in our lives, with the dawn of each new day are promises ahead, and assurance of His unfailing love.
All actions hidden in that moment when light breaks the darkness-again action. Maybe I’m just more of a doer, but either way your word journey blessed me! Here’s to the dawning of a New Year and the promises of God’s steadfast love and presence.
So glad you enjoyed the journey with me, Donna. I felt like it was a bit repetitive at times, but looking back, I’m OK with that. Certain themes and messages are worth hearing over and over again, right? 🙂
New morning. New mercies. That may well be why sunrise is such a significant time of day. I appreciate what you shared here. I’ve never chosen a word for the year before, although in 2022, one chose me–and I’ve been grateful. A new one hasn’t risen to the surface, and that’s okay. I’m not sure I’m ready to let go of the old one.
I understand how you feel about the word lingering on, Natalie. I wore my strength bracelet from last year all this year too. I had one for dawn too, but only wore it a few times. Just didn’t need that reminder on my wrist like I needed strength, I guess. 🙂
Your word came to mind when I read Zechariah’s words testifying about John the Baptist, who would “give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” The KJV says “dayspring” instead of “sunrise,” which is prettier and more poetic, but I suppose not as clear to those not used to the language. I saw on Bible.hub.com that a few translations did use “dawn.” But this passage reminded me that Christ Himself embodies that hope and promise of a new day dawning, of light chasing away darkness.
Ah, Barbara … that is so beautiful, and such a comfort.
This post definitely has me thinking 🙂 I watch the sun rise almost every single morning and have been doing so for years. My favorite time of day is watching the sun come up over the woods in the back of our yard. The movement of the sun over the course of the year, the timing – all of it is just so special, powerful, and fills my soul every morning. My word this year has been “Wait”; and so, this post intersects in a very special way for me. “New morning, new mercies.” Every single day. Amen! How precious it is to meet with Him every day and know assuredly, He is faithful to come!
Joanne, I’m so glad you live in a place where you can watch the sunrise. Someday I hope we have a home like that too. I love how our words intersect so beautifully. 🙂
“Dawn” is a beautiful word that points to new beginnings and hope. It sounds like the word has blessed you in so many different ways. My one word was “light” and I was not as attentive to discovering why God gave me this word as I have been in the past.
I’ve had words like that too, Mary. Light sounds like it could be one of those gentle-presence kind of words … there to guide you without a lot of fanfare. Hugs, friend.
Your beautiful daughters are in the dawning phase of adulthood. Yikes. Where did the years go? Who will they become? How will God shape and mold them and use their giftedness? So many questions, hopes, dreams, and grace.
These are the good old days.
Ah, Linda … you know the thoughts and questions from this season of motherhood well. Sometimes my heart is so full of all the pondering I don’t know how to contain it all. Hugs, friend.
Indeed, Dawn is full of hope! Something I need to remember as we also look at the dawn of a new year very soon! thank you for this encouragement, Lois.
You’re welcome, Sarah. I’m right there with you when it comes to my attitude about the new year!