What does starting a new year mean for you? For me, it means it’s time to focus on a new theme word. I’ve never been big into New Year’s resolutions, but this is the thirteenth year I’ve chosen a theme word to help guide me through the year. It’s a practice I highly recommend. I can honestly say it has benefited me year after year.

The word the Lord impressed on my heart for 2025? Trust. When the thought of choosing a new theme word first crossed my mind back in November, trust immediately sprang to mind. With all the uncertainties and new things on my horizon, I knew trust in God needed to be my focus. Trust has actually been my theme word before, but that’s okay. I need to keep it at the forefront of my mind again.

Of course, I never know all the Lord has in mind when guiding me to a new word, but this year the uncertainties that my husband’s Alzheimer’s continually colors our lives with will require ongoing trust in God for meeting not only the demands of the day but also the changes that may come. Changes that may require decisions for which I’ll certainly need wisdom and God’s direction.

This year also holds lots of challenges for me as I prepare for the October launch of Christmas For The Heart: 25 Devotions Reclaiming The Beauty And Wonder Of The Season, my new Christmas devotional book with B&H Publishing. I am thrilled and humbled to have the privilege to touch the lives of readers across our nation and perhaps beyond through this devotional, but the responsibility and work that goes along with preparing for the launch and promotion of it can be overwhelming, particularly if I’m relying on myself and my own abilities. Trusting God to guide and provide will be the only way I can handle it all.

So yes, trust in God is what I need right now in extra measure. And as the year unfolds, I may find that God has even more situations in store for trusting him. When it comes right down to it, every day should be an exercise in trusting God, shouldn’t it?

If you haven’t done so yet, why not choose a theme word for 2025? I can guarantee that having an over-arching word—a quality, an attitude, or an action—to focus on will help give you direction and help you grow throughout the year.

You’re welcome to join me in focusing on trust—it gives such freedom and peace when we’re trusting God instead of worrying or relying on our own wisdom, limited as it is. But I encourage you to give it some thought and prayer first. God may have another word in mind for you. Why not ask him? He is faithful to guide!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

*What is your theme word or anchor verse for 2025? I’d love to know!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Photo by Ryan Pohanic on Unsplash