Happy New Year, friends! I hope the year is starting as you need. As for me, it has felt overwhelming at times.
It has been busier than usual these past few months. I’ve felt continually overwhelmed; a familiar feeling whenever my day-to-day routines are interrupted, even though what needed doing gets done. I’ve taken on a lot more as well, especially in the area of work. I have yet to feel settled in that and so that feeling of overwhelm has extended to how I’m starting the new year. In short, I feel unprepared. I don’t like this feeling, but I think it’s a fitting place to be in given my focus for 2025.
Since May of last year, I’ve heard the whisper to “slow down and simplify”. Then, I heard “focus on the good and simple joys”. Then, “focus on Me, on My character, on who I AM”. Eventually, this lead to the word “wonder” which is my focus word this year.
In case you’re new to this concept, a “focus word”, or a “one little word” or a “word of the year” as others refer to it, is a chosen word that sets the tone for one’s intentions for the year. This is an alternative to setting new year resolutions that are quickly abandoned or forgotten.
I’ve been choosing a word since 2019, however, I like to turn the word into a phrase to give it more direction. And, I’ve found it a helpful practice because it frames my experiences, and gives me the perspective to see how I’m growing and learning from them. Of course, this is done most prayerfully and with God’s guidance. It helps me to see how He’s working in my life. In the past, I have chosen “It’s time to Rise & Shine, then “Bloom in Grace“, “Believe and Flourish, “Dwell and Delight, beloved“, and then “Joy in His Presence”.
2024 was a challenging year as I learned to “abide and grow in love”. It was challenging but also so very good as God allowed me to see the miracles He worked in my life. Coming from that into this year, I’m noticing that at times I am too much “nose to the grindstone” and “missing the forest for the trees”. I need to look up more and create margin, breathing room, space to be wowed and to marvel, to be filled with wonder at what God has done and is doing. In short, I need to deliberately pause to see, and celebrate, the everyday miracles I often miss because of busyness.
A year of “Wonder”
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
[Psalm 19:1
“WONDER” is defined as a feeling of amazement, astonishment, and reverence… a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, or inexplicable.
“WONDERFUL” – a descriptor for God – is that which calls forth wonder.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords… to him who alone does great wonders
Psalm 136:1,3-4
This year of wonder is one that will find me focused on the good, focused on God, and celebrating the everyday simple joys with gratitude.
I created these journaling pages to frame my thoughts on what the new year holds with this focus given to me. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds and what God will do in and through me this year.
Focus on the good
As I mentioned, regarding my 2024 focus on learning to abide, last year was very challenging. I found that, due to physical and emotional stress in my life, my mind became very negative in response. It interrupted my sleep and overwhelmed my waking hours. Working through the Psalms was very helpful with that.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
This year, I want to focus on what is good. I want to give my time to what is good and beneficial. I also want to cultivate habits that nurture rest and let go of what increases stress. I hope that the time and effort I’m putting into “a life at rest”, i.e. doing what I love and find fulfilling, will be refreshing personally even as I seek solely to encourage others for His glory. At the same time, I have to learn to make space for silence and stillness.
I’m not sure yet how this will all be accomplished and I anticipate that this will be my biggest challenge and biggest area of change. Pictured above is my personal planner for the year which I was drawn to because of its message. It’s from the Simple Joys collection by The Happy Planner.
Focus on God
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
Psalm 33:8
I’m focusing on God by studying His word and looking for what it reveals about who He is, His character, His ways, etc.
I’m reading and writing out scripture using the Beloved Society 2025 Scripture Writing Plan by Illustrated Faith. It is based on the Bible Recap reading plan which goes through the entire bible, chronologically, in a year.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2,6
I am also studying the names of God and Jesus for the same reason. For that, I’m using Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler. I think it’s wonderful that God tells us how to refer to Him. His names tell us not only who He is but they also contain promises for what He will do.
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
Romans 1:20
I also intend to nudge my homebody self to venture out more into nature and observe what Creation reveals about its Creator. And, when I’m not outside, to listen to nature sounds. I love listening to the sound of falling rain paired with instrumental music. I find it so soothing, so I think I will benefit from doing more of that.
Celebrate the everyday simple joys
I think it’s interesting that the word “celebrate” is used in this part of the focus. It’s more than just “enjoy” or “observe” the everyday joys, but rejoice and be thankful for them. There are so many miracles and new mercies each day that I know I can overlook and take for granted unless He stills me.
Using a joy (gratitude) journal for the last couple years has helped me to see what I would normally miss or not attribute to God’s blessing. The practice has grown in me a more grateful heart; one that experiences gratitude more than document it.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2
This year, however, I will not continue using a gratitude journal but instead incorporate gratitude into my planning, journaling, and memory keeping. For this purpose, I’m going to use this Big Happy Memory Keeping Photo Journal by The Happy Planner which is also from their Simple Joys collection.
Creative Worships Stamps products used:
I used several items by Creative Worship Stamps, for the journaling and bible pages above, including the newly released Sunflower Background, Oval Mesh stencil, and Texture Tiles 12 stamps.
These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Sunflower Background
- Oval Mesh stencil
- Texture Tiles 12
- Cloudy Day Edge stencil
- Skinny Caps Alpha
- Typewriter Alpha
- Blue Morpho Butterfly digital
- Paint Splatters stencil
Do you have a particular focus or intention for 2025?
In previous years, I took DaySpring’s Word of the Year quiz just out of curiosity to see what it would choose based on my answers. This year I did the same, again just for fun, and it gave me the word Delight. This was my focus in 2022 which I guess is along the same wavelength as wonder.
If you haven’t chosen a word yet, or just feel curious, I encourage you to give it a try. Ultimately though, I encourage you to prayerfully consider God’s direction for your life this year. May He be glorified in you!
Also, let me know if you’ve had “wonder” as a focus word before; I’d love to hear any recommendations or insights you have to share! And if not, I hope that you too will look up with wonder this year as you behold our God.
