My Word for 2020: Simplify

Ending this whirlwind of a month I’ve decided to quickly share my word of the year on the blog! I really love this tradition that I discovered a few years ago, picking one word for the year as kind of theme to pray about and allow the Lord to work through.  There are various “word generators” on the internet you can research to find a word for you. The past few years I’ve chosen peace, habit and obedience. I haven’t been amazing at reflecting or pulling all of the themes from those words, but it has definitely been a worthwhile start. I had an hour alone at a coffee shop this week and was reviewing my many blog drafts I am hoping to write in the New Year. As I plopped my laptop down on a table and rushed to grab a latte, my eyes met a young married couple who were calmly browsing the menu, holding hands in all smiles. My heart almost skipped a beat and my word came to me - SIMPLIFY. I want to simplify everything. Down to the very little, the very basic things that I know to be true. God, faith, family. And simply holding my husbands hand. I am definitely an idea girl, but then tend to complicate everything. Let’s raise saints! Help end abortion! Write a book! Build our community! I forget that pursuing big goals requires simplicity. Of heart, of schedule, of life. Recall the grammar school motto, keep it simple stupid. Start small, stay simple, stick to the basics child! Considering Jesus and the saints also talk about the little things and simplifying our goals to heaven, I would be smart to follow.

I recently made a bucket list that included relaxing on our front porch with my husband, drinking hot chocolate with my kids, and taking a bubble bath for the first time in my new (4 years old) tub. My heart was already gearing to the simple. Then I saw an Advent meme about how “the first Christmas was pretty simple, yours can be too,” (pictured Jesus in his small manger). Thats how I knew witnessing that simple gesture of holding hands and calmly browsing a menu (although calm is probably never a word you would use to describe this excited sanguine nature I was given ;) was the last nudge from the Spirit I needed.

I have recognized a guilt vs. discount for the simple things. It is usually not worth my time to (simply) soak up the front porch, or sit around with family on the couch - there is so much to do! But Martha, Martha, praise Jesus for young motherhood, and praise Jesus for the vocation of marriage. They are like a crash course in breaking the controlling clutch, and forcing me to focus on simplifying.

I pray this word pours into every aspect of my life. The simple act of leaning on Jesus in anything it is I am called to do this year - and that being enough. It sounds wonderful to remember the simple foundations in my marriage of a daily kiss, a daily couples prayer; the simple motherly treasures of looking my children in the eyes to tell them they are a gift, and snuggling for a bedtime story; the simple blessings of peacefully enjoying my own home; the simple basics in my homeschool -reading, writing and arithmetic; the simple ways of using social media as a tool for what it’s worth; the simple act of being thankful for my work outside the home; and the simple path toward sainthood of prayer without ceasing. Ah, the mere saying of my word is like a breath of fresh air. I pray you have the chance to listen for yours! Heres to 2020!

In Joy,
Alex

ps. my favorite thing to do is put my word on an index card inside my kitchen cabinet & in my journal! I also add above it “2020 (or whatever year) is going to be the best year ever! ;)