One Word

lbukun, a reader (check out her blog at She is out of control...), suggested I consider participating in One Word hosted by Melanie at Only a Breath. So, I visited Melanie's blog today to get a sense of what One Word is all about, and here's what I learned:

What do you want to focus on in 2013?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, a feeling, an action, or a character trait. Your word will be a reminder, a nudge. Something you can reflect on, that will challenge you, that will inspire you.
Your word can be anything you want it to be. All that matters is that it has personal meaning for you.
This is your word. It needs to resonate with your heart, no one else’s.

Melanie went on to say that instead of coming up with a list of resolutions that One Word can be one's personal "theme" for the new year. Sounds good to me.

So here's mine:

...as in "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; And lean not on your own understanding" {Psalm 3:5}.

I chose this one word because there is so much uncertainty in our world, and in my own life. I have absolutely no control over the unsettling things that are going on around the world, and not as much control over my own life as I'd like to have. However, God is sovereign and He is mighty to save {Zephaniah 3:17}. I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but hard times could be ahead. I want to focus on trusting Jesus with all of my concerns instead of perseverating on them.

What kind of concerns? Well here are a couple:

• Will we receive a favorable decision from Social Security that will allow Michaela to receive Michael's benefits?
• Will I spend another year alone? Or, will this be the year in which God brings a good man into our lives?

None of those things are too big for God, of course, but sometimes they are things that worry concern me. If we were to receive Michael's benefits for Michaela (as I believe we should), I could eliminate the rest of the debt I incurred from our fertility treatments, and then be able to afford to send her to a private Christian school when the time comes. As for remaining single, that is something that burdens my heart. I want to share my life with a wonderful, godly man, and I want Michaela to know a father's love. Furthermore, while I know that the Lord is my protector and provider, I would like him to send us someone to be that for us. I so appreciated the ways in which Michael was that for me when I was his wife. In my opinion, marriage and family are a shelter for women and children, and I want that for Michaela and myself.

So, as 2013 debuts, I will trust the Lord with the things that presently concern me, and the things to come. Each month, on the 15th, I will attempt to update how my One Word {trust} has helped me in the previous weeks, and how the Lord has proved Himself worthy of my trust.