“The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affection. All spiritual food leaves the soul dry, if it contain not that penetrating oil, the Name Jesus.” St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Instead of making resolutions I’m likely to forget, I choose a word for the year that best describes how I want to live out the next 52 weeks. Doing this has changed my life. This past year, though, I couldn’t remember my word when my daughter asked about it. She looked up my blog post from last January and reminded me about “intentional.”
Here are my words so far. I did better with the rest of my list than in 2019.
2019 Intentional
2018 Simplicity
2017 Self-care
2016 Love
2015 Revise, Momentum
2014 Content
2013 Ponder
2012 Incremental
I began 2020 overwhelmed with all the words I’d come up with as a result of all the things I wanted to change, fix, and complete.
A favorite phrase, quiet acceptance, always lands in the running for word of the year. It’s never been chosen because, even though I’m an introvert, being quiet is hard for me and acceptance is even harder. I’m sure there’s one more thing I can say or do or figure out about whatever needs changing or fixing.
Boundaries rose to the top of the list when I began reading one of several books written on the topic by authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend.
The list also included “faith,” “letting go,” and the possibility of revisiting two words from the past, “intentional” (since I didn’t live that way in 2019) and “incremental” because I did live by it and the year was my most productive so far. I accomplished one thing daily in 2012 that I wouldn’t have tackled otherwise.
Every phrase or word that came to mind had urgency about it, but none seemed significant enough to devote 365 days to it. In the meantime, two things happened, one humorous and one holy.
The humorous story …
While baking Christmas cookies with two of my grandchildren, a loud noise scared all of us when the mixer slammed down unexpectedly. My grandson Wyatt said, “Hair mercy.”
His mom asked where he’d heard the saying, but he shrugged off her question like he shouldn’t tell.
My passing thought: The adult saying “Lord, have mercy” should be careful about loosely using God’s name, particularly in front of impressionable children.
My next thought: At least Wyatt’s version didn’t include “Lord.”
On the way home the next afternoon from picking up Wyatt from school, I heard myself say, “Lord, have mercy! That car needs to slow down.”
I looked in the rearview mirror to see him looking back at me.
“Wyatt, am I the one you heard say, “Lord, hair mercy?”
He grinned and tentatively nodded his head.
It seemed a lighthearted lesson about God’s kindness. I’m still saying “Lord, hair mercy,” only now it’s intentional, which means I’m finally using 2019’s word. I’m talking more to Jesus – asking Him to cover my family and me with His love, grace, and, yes, mercy.
The Holy story …
My husband and I drove 20 hours to Tulsa, Oklahoma to spend the holidays with our grandson and newborn granddaughter. On Christmas evening, we kissed them goodbye, cried a little, and headed home.
Since I’m a night owl, I volunteered for the middle-of-the-night shift. Traveling in light traffic made it easy to pay attention to sights along the way.
The first cross, lit up with white lights like a Christmas decoration, hung in the sky so far above the trees I couldn’t figure out how it got there.
The next crosses, a group of three like you’d see at Easter, stood large on I-40 in front of a church so small they overshadowed it.
I wondered if I’d see one more cross since three times of anything catches my attention. If so, it’d be a sign, even if I wondered A sign for what?
A few hours down the road, still on the same highway, I’d forgotten all about looking for more. That was, until I stared up a cross so tall it looked like it reached heaven. It was metal, as big around as a lighthouse, and taller than a water tower … or maybe I was delirious by then. All that mattered was I had my third sighting of a cross – my sign. It made a sacred impression especially in the vast darkness on a silent Christmas night. I felt like I was driving on a holy stretch of road.
By the time I settled down after our travels, unpacked suitcases, and packed away Christmas, my word (name) for the year became clear. To get through and do and finish well all that I’m looking forward to in 2020, Jesus is what I need.
I’m so excited to hear your words too and the stories behind them. I hope you’ll share here or on my Facebook page in case anyone needs to borrow a word. Lord, hair mercy on us all!
In This Together,
Kim
My word has been faith for many years. Faith in Jesus got me this far in my life. Faith God would see me through, he loved me, he delivered me and so much more.
When I am down and out. I have to remind myself of my word: FAITH
Another word that has entered my heart has been GRACE. I will work on that as well. Grace is something not earned but given. I choose to show GRACE TO OTHER PEOPLE!
Thank you Kim!🥰😘😍🙏🙏🙏
Lyn, both of your words, faith and grace, are perfect. We can’t get through life well without them. I’m grateful for your example of loving and trusting Jesus. You truly are His hands and feet. I love you! 💜
I can’t wait for my pennies from heaven. ✝️
I’ve tried a few words for the past years but didn’t last year. This year what came to mind is abundant or abundance. I don’t know exactly why except I feel that my life is abundant in many ways some folks wouldn’t understand. My abundance has been in life blessings and gifts , not riches or wealth,which are only temporary anyway. Looking at synonyms these synonyms, some fit, some are fun to consider.
barrel, basketful, boatload, bucket, bunch, bundle, bushel, carload, chunk, deal, dozen, fistful, gobs, good deal, heap, hundred, lashings (also lashins) [chiefly British], loads, lot, mass, mess, mountain, much, multiplicity, myriad, oodles, pack, passel, peck, pile, plateful, plenitude, plentitude, plenty, pot, potful, profusion, quantity, raft, reams, scads, sheaf, shipload, sight, slew, spate, stack, store, ton, truckload, volume, wad, wealth, yard
However I love the biblical uses of the word such as these, especially the events,miracles and the depths that accompanied them.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”
2nd Corinthians 9:8
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”John 10:10
One of my favorites is
In 1st Kings 18:41 when
Elijah said:
“…I hear the sound of the abundance of rain..” or “for there is a sound of abundance of rain” a miracle in action when faced by a
I should stop before it starts overflowing.p
Thank you for your inspiring writing Kim.
Hi Joel, I love that you listed so many synonyms for abundance … who knew? I especially like “plentitude.” I’m keeping that one in mind for next year. It’s different, and now I want to look up “plenty” and find its synonyms and Bible verses.
It’s always fun and inspiring to hear others’ words and your thoughts for choosing the words. Thanks for sharing. May you and your family be abundantly blessed throughout 2020.
Kim
Many years ago shortly before she died my mother had a major stroke.
While in her hospital bed she continually said “Jesus help me”. Over and over again she quietly repeated this phrase. My younger sister asked if the doctors could stop her as her voice was getting weaker each of those last few days. I remember reminding her that Mom always said “Jesus help me” whenever she felt the need for help.
During the last days of her life and the last thing she said was Jesus help me. She ended her life as she lived it relying on the Name of Jesus.
The name “Jesus” is a complete prayer in itself for those who believe.
Bob
Bob, I absolutely love the story about your mom. It’s perfect! ❤️
I can relate because “Jesus, help me” has been my constant prayer the past 10 years. I’m not sure I believed He would help (and was helping in that very moment), but I prayed it because I didn’t know what else to do.
Finally, I’ve settled down enough to know he was helping all along and His help is all I need. Like our friend Betty used to say, “He’s all you need. Everything else is a bonus.”
Thanks so much for sharing. Bless you and Agnes.
From Facebook (Kim Henson) ~
50Christy Young, Susan Blanton Roche and 48 others
45 Comments
Mary McKerihan Wilson My word for 2020 is together. The most obvious meaning is that I hope to be together with my significant other very soon. But it also represents how I hope to live my life this year–together with others whether in business or personal life. I have had too much of slogging through life on my own and feel that my best life will be in together mode (despite my introversion).
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Kim Henson I love everything about your comment, Mary McKerihan Wilson. <3 I'm so happy you have Craig and others to share life with. It really is best lived together. #inthistogether
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Joan Pisani Unity 🥰
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Kim Henson I really like it, Joan Pisani. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who's chosen that one. I'd love for our country to choose it. <3
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Joan Pisani Kim Henson yes Kim my prayer 🙏🙏🙏 is that people would “unite” together like they did right after 9/11. I hold on to Hope and continue to pray 🥰
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Maria Franken Joan Pisani - Unity was my Mom's handle (email addy's & sudo-names). She believed that Unity was the core to peace. <3
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Joan Pisani Maria Franken I agree 😍
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Kim Henson Joan Pisani, I'm praying alongside you. Unity was the "sweet" part of bittersweet after 9/11. 💜 Maria Franken, how cool about your mom's handle and attitude. 🤩
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DrJenine Marie Howry My word for this year is FREEDOM....To just be "me"...to love myself better....to forgive myself for the things I blame through guilt....to do as I please without having to please anyone else first....to be honest without fear of repercussions.... to love as God directs me....to dream for the life I desire to manifest that reflects who I am and what I believe in. Ahhhh yes...FREEDOM!
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Kim Henson DrJenine Marie Howry, one of my favorite words in the world! <3 Come to think of it, I can't believe I've never chosen this one. Maybe I've thought I have to work on all the others first to get to freedom. lol 😀 You're description of 2020 sounds worth the work. I know your word will pay off BIG.
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Maria Franken Oh my gosh DrJenine Marie Howry - I just bought a tee-shirt that reads, "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose..." 😀 I relate well to your commet... Love it!!
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Maria Franken
😁
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Love
Kim Henson Maria Franken, I was just heading over here to share your tee with DrJenine Marie Howry. You beat me to it. <3 I can't decide what I like more - the VW bug, the sunflower rising behind the mountains, or the saying. #sogroovy 😎
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DrJenine Marie Howry Kim Henson I used to have a VW bug a long time ago, that same color, lol. I love the sunflower and of course the FREEDOM!
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Kim Henson DrJenine Marie Howry, I grew up riding from NY to SC in one. My dad had a red (burgundy-ish) one, then a tan one. <3
DrJenine Marie Howry Kim Henson I had two of them. One light blue and one dark blue. I loved those things but not in today’s high rushed traffic lol
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Anjana C. Duff My word is "Release." Hoping to have more peace of mind and move forward with joy by releasing feelings (past hurts, disappointments, anger, resentment) that don't serve me.
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Kim Henson Ooooh, that's a good one, Anjana C. Duff. I love letting go of the stuff that holds us back. <3 Cynthia Hawley used to tell me to say that about weight ... that instead of losing it (which means we'll find it again), we release it.
Debbie Morris Peace
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Kim Henson Debbie Morris, for months I've been repeating, "Jesus, be my peace." I love your word. <3
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Dorothy Essex Gratitude
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Kim Henson Dorothy Essex, so good. Thanks for sharing. <3
Jennie Hines Believe
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Kim Henson Jennie Hines, what a beautiful one for you and your past year and miracle. <3 Believe always makes me think of The Polar Express and the bell. #magical.
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Tina Burhans Abundance!
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Kim Henson Ooooh, good one, Tina Burhans. Wynn would LOVE it too. <3
Betty Butler I can't decide on one word. I like yours a lot!
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Kim Henson Betty Butler, I'll share! <3
Carol Chestnut Mine is thankful. I’m trying really hard not to take my many blessings for granted. I want to be more intentional about thanking the giver of all good and perfect gifts.
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Kim Henson Carol Chestnut, me too. I'm hoping focusing on Jesus will keep me focused on all that you mentioned in your comment <3 ... not just what I need from Him.
Connie Lawson My “One Word” for 2020 is BETTER. . . . God provided something “better” For me His name is - Jesus. In 2020, I want to explore the “better“ He has for me by making choices, and consider how I might better spend time with Him and put my hope and faith totally in Him.
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Kim Henson That's such a good one, Connie Lawson. I can't wait to hear what He does with you and your word. <3
Russell Hughes 👍👍👍🙏
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Kim Henson Russell Hughes <3
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Holly Massey ♥️That IS my word...JESUS❣️ I began the year - Jan 2020 - IN the Holy Land. It doesn't get any better or any sweeter than that. 💯%!!
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Kim Henson Holly Massey, are you serious that we have the same word? I love it. 🥰 You're right ... no better or sweeter. And your comment reminded me to head to your page to see photos. I was so excited to find one. What a way to start your year. 👑❤️❤️❤️
Theresa Jordan He has been my word for the last decade and will be it for the next also! No better word exists! Love you, Kim Henson, my sister in JESUS Christ!
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Kim Henson It'll be impossible to find a better word, for sure. I love you, Theresa Jordan! 🥰 #inthistogether
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Maria Franken I live by, "What would Jesus do?".... My word for 2020 will be "compassion." Actually, God picked that that word for me. Even though I'm generally a super sweet person, I tend to make snap assumptions about others. In 2020, I will not rush through those times that need relationship building and understanding... Love you, Kim... thanks for posting this, as it made me go deeper and make a plan of action. 😀
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Kim Henson Maria Franken, it's funny you said "God picked it." That seems the way for me almost every year, and I fight with Him about it. lol 😀 Not this year, though. I felt kind of desperate about my word. I needed it to be something big and powerful and life …See More
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Maria Franken Kim - well, I wouldn't think you needed the word, Jesus, but yet that beautiful, awesome name never gets old. 😀
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Donna Feddick Fagerstrom Only Jesus❤️
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Kim Henson Donna Feddick Fagerstrom, yes. <3 <3 <3
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Sabrina Templin My word is BLOOM! JAnuary was not such a hot start for me. I hope to do better in Feb. And I made it a phrase not just the word. BLOOM in gratitude..
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Kim Henson Oh, Sabrina Templin, how I wish I had the purple flower emoji to press instead of the heart. Do you remember when FB had that under the comments for just a short while? I had forgotten all about it until I saw your wonderful word. I love it!!! 🌷🌷🌷 I'm looking forward to hearing all about how you bloom with gratitude (and set an example for the rest of us) throughout 2020. Much love! 💕
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