In a word

HOPE

It's my word for 2014.

Weeks before I knew anything about how the months of 2013 would play out, God spoke the word "faith" to me.  Yes.  He spoke it.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  And, low and behold, God was right. In every possible way, 2013 was a huge leap of faith for our family. 

2013 will be one of those life marks for us.
"Oh, yeah!  That was right after we got married."
"Bubba was about two then."
"I was big pregnant with the girls when that happened."
"That was our first winter in Colorado."

Let's be honest, having a year of faith is exhausting.  Stepping out in giant ways in the name of faith takes its toll on a person.  And, frankly, there were many days when the word faith was really too beautiful to describe what I did.  When I think of a man or woman of faith, I think of someone who is strong, God-centered, peaceful.  Watching a faithful person live their life is simply beautiful.

There were many days in the midst of our year of faith when I felt the opposite of strong and peaceful and beautiful.  Those days I just had to power through with straight up obedience.  Because honestly?  I wasn't feeling the faith.

And now it's 2014 and as cliche as it sounds, hope is my word.  Because faith and hope go hand in hand.  The ONLY reason to step out in faith is because you have hope in the One who has called you.

We made the leap of faith with both feet, and now, as we adjust and become familiar, we wait.  We have hope that God will begin the work he has for this season of our lives.  We know our faithfulness was for a purpose.  There has to be a reason He's asked us to do this, right?  Of course there is.

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Thess. 1:3