One of my favorite traditions each New Year is to choose one word by faith as a theme for the year ahead. One word to study, cling to, spend time with. I learned this from Margaret Feinberg, and this is my third year choosing a word. Breathe was my word for 2017, and Held was my word for 2018.

My best friend texted me two weeks ago and asked if I had my word for 2019 yet. I didn’t. As an administrative planner and Enneagram 1, that was hard for me. Christmas was days away, which meant the New Year was right around the corner. My fallback word was With, but I didn’t have peace about it like I did with my last two words. I continued to seek God, and on Christmas Eve, He gave me “bloom”. I was still a little unsure, but He has been confirming it ever since. He is faithfully peeling back layers and revealing a depth I never knew was there.

He showed me this verse from The Message last Saturday…

So I took ownership of “bloom” and this has become my prayer for 2019...

God, send out your Spirit and I will spring to life — make me bloom and blossom.

But He didn’t stop there!

He showed me this book, In Bloom, that I had never heard of before. The subtitle says “Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding Confidence.” I almost cried as I read the description. I ordered it with some Christmas money and it arrived today – I can’t wait to dig in!

On January 1st, He reminded me of not one but two pieces of art, one given to me in 1989 and the other in 2005. Both have been behind a pile of things on my desk since July. (I wish I could say July 2018… totally 2017!) Both feature flowers in bloom and are near and dear to my heart. And are now located in front of the piles on my desk. 🙂

This brought to mind another verse – one of the first I ever memorized as a new believer... “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” – John 15:16

This morning, I picked up an old book that I found in one of our church buildings in July (2018 this time). It’s called “Morning Thoughts” by Frances Ridley Havergal. I turned to the Fourth Day (so rebellious since it should be day 3!) and was drawn to this part:

“Let me then be always growing,

Never, never standing still,

Listening, learning, better knowing

Thee, and Thy most blessed will;

That the Master’s eye may trace,

Day by day, my growth in grace.”

I looked to see when this book was published, and found a dedication on the first page, with the date: “Christmas 1898.” I was in awe! Holding a book from 120 years ago, that came from an almost 200 year old building. I did a little research and discovered that Frances was a poet in the 1800’s, and she penned the well-known hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be.” I love that song! I’m looking forward to finding more truth in this treasure of a book.

God is showing me that this year of “bloom” all stems from my relationship with Him. I can’t force myself to bloom; it’s all by grace, through faith. Fruit flows from relationship, from being connected to Him. But the beauty and wonder of it all – He bears fruit in me despite my imperfections. I don’t have to strive or do to bloom; He makes me bloom. I can plant seeds and water them, but He is the One that makes me grow.

Just for fun, I googled “What makes flowers bloom” and found this article. One of my favorite lines says “Some plants flower with such abandon that it seems as if their only purpose is to fill the world with color.”

I wonder if this is how we were meant to live – so connected to the Father, with such abandon, that we bloom bright with purpose – filling the world with color and bringing glory to our God.

I know the year will have its challenges, ups and downs and everything in between. It won’t be all sunshine and roses. But I’m trusting that no matter what happens in and around me, I can still be blooming on the inside, in my relationship with God.

One more part of my bloom journey was to begin the “Flourish” devotional by Margaret Feinberg. I started Week 1 today, and I love how He is using it to tie everything together. Margaret wrote, “God’s grace and favor make flourishing possible. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ empowers us to live loved, fearless, and free.” It’s all grace!

Another favorite: “Our flourishing gives God great satisfaction and joy.” I had never thought of God finding delight in me blooming, but He absolutely does! Think about it… when we’re secure in who He created us to be, walking in freedom with Him as beloved sons and daughters… what joy this brings Him! (And us!)

We were made to flourish and thrive, not just survive and barely get by. We were made to shine and radiate His light, pointing to Him.

I hope this inspires you to prayerfully pick a word for your 2019. It’s not too late! Click here for some details and tips from Margaret. By grace, through faith, choose a word to be your banner for 2019. Resolutions and goals are great (I have my list going), but there’s something about one word. God is waiting to reveal it, and keep revealing it throughout the year. 💕