My word of the year for 2018 was HOPE.
I started out the year feeling sort of like a lost little puppy. A soggy dog left out in the rain. Not really sure how I was going to get to where I wanted to be, but certain that I didn’t want to stay where I was, getting soaked to the BONE (see what I did there).
This past year has been full of more growth, changes, and ups and downs than I ever could have seen coming. There were some days where I wanted to sit down with the director of my life’s movie and be like THIS WASN’T IN THE SCRIPT…you didn’t prepare me for this.
But most days, I knew deep down that I had been prepared for this. I was on the right track. I learned to trust myself, my inner teacher, and my God more than I ever have before. Most days I felt hopeful for what was ahead of me, and grateful for what I had in the present, and that gratitude and hope carried me through scenes of uncertainty.
Hope, as we learn in the scriptures, is not full of uncertainty like we sometimes think it is, but is actually an active word. Hope is sure, unwavering.
My favorite scripture about hope served as my inspiration for choosing this as my focal point for 2018.
“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4).
Hope, for me, means to keep going. To push forward with faith. To keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Hope is waking up every new day and deciding that no matter what comes my way, I’m going to make the most of it. We’re going to make it through. We’re going to be alright.
Hope anchors my soul to God and helps me remember that there is nothing that I cannot do with Him by my side.
Staying hopeful means staying open. Trusting that at any given moment, everything is exactly as it should be. Choosing to be hopeful in the face of uncertainty makes room for faith, which blossoms into courage, confidence and peace. I’ve experienced that for myself this past year.
I’ve never loved myself and others more than I do right now. I’ve never felt more present in my own life than I do right now. I’ve never felt more guided and steady even when I still have no idea what’s around the corner.
And all of that is because of hope.
Not just hope in all good things, but hope in Jesus Christ. Because of our Savior, I know there is always hope. He is the only way to become sure and steadfast.
Every good thing I have in my life is because of Him.
Every step I took forward, onward, and upward this past year was made possible because of Him.
He is my hope!
I am so hopeful for what lies ahead for you, and for me.
Happy New Year!