As the year winds down, I’ve been doing some reflecting. One thing I’ve been thinking about is my word from this year. If you’re not familiar with that idea, you can read my post about it here.

This past year, the Lord laid the word surrender on my heart, along with Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

The Lord never fails to surprise me. I typically go into the year thinking I have an idea of the lesson he’s going to be teaching me through my word (what does that say about me?), but the lesson usually turns out a little different.

I thought this year was going to be about surrendering my plans. I am definitely a type-A planner, and while I have loosened up a little bit, I still like things to run according to plan.

And while this year was a little about surrendering my plans, I found it was more about surrendering my timeline. The Lord taught me a lot this year that my plans aren’t bad. They’re usually made with the right heart and intentions. But my timing on those plans is not always his timing. I had to learn to deny the part of myself that wanted things to happen NOW! Patience has never been my strong suit, but it’s a fruit of the Spirit the Lord worked on me through my word this year.

I’d love to hear what the Lord has taught you this year, whether through a word or His Word. And come back next year for my 2025 word of the year!