I have a dear friend (originally a high school pen-pal) who wrote a blog post today that describes a tradition she’s had for several years now; she chooses a word and a Bible verse at the beginning of every new year. At the end of her post, she asks the reader what word & verse they have chosen for the year.
I have never had the forethought to think much past the first month or two of a new year & usually my thoughts revolve around travel plans, daily activities to schedule & birthdays to prepare for. The rest of the year gets consumed as each month topples one onto the other.
So I’m taking it to heart that there is something right / healthy / thoughtful to ponder the new year; not just in terms of resolutions but of a purposeful mindset. To attempt to apply one word to the new year in order to provide focus / clarity / purpose.
So with all that said, my one word is CONTENTMENT. There are a multitude of scripture verses to choose from that center around the concept of contentment. Since the Psalms have become a passion for me as of late, I chose Psalm 16:11, specifically the King James Version.
The past year has brought me many, many reasons to be thankful; and I genuinely did feel thankful most of the year. But I also continually found myself with a spirit of discontent on nearly every level of my life. So it wasn’t very difficult for me to desire a resolution that went beyond a weight-loss goal or tackling a new hobby.
I desire to be satsified in the Lord rather than the things of this world. Otherwise I “feel” comfortable but those “things” end up lending me a false & short-lived sense of contentment. I want to truly know that for me, one day in the courts of the Lord is far better than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:10).
And so I leave this first day of January, 2010, asking you the same question that Jane asked of me. What is your word & verse for the year?
In the Land of Ridd 
Oh what a GREAT word to choose! And I love the verse you picked to go with it! And I love how you came to pick out your word and verse, so meaningful and well chosen.
I read a little devotional book a while back by Lydia Brownback called “Trust”, it was excellent (and also the readings were nice and short, perfect for busy mothers!). She also has one entitled “Contentment”, which after reading your post I have been reminded of. You would enjoy it.
I love the word contentment and I also love the idea of selecting a bible verse to along with your word of the year. That may be a little tricky with my word – Re – maybe I’ll just have to pick one RE word – probably Remember!
Thanks for sharing
If you hadn’t picked “joy” the year before I would suggest “Rejoice” – Deuteronomy 12:7 or Psalm 13:5 :). But then again, there’s “Renew”, Psalm 51:10 or Colossians 3:10. But I too think “Remember” is a great choice & is used quite often in Scripture (167 times in the NIV according to WikiAnswers!) Psalm 105:8 is a good one or Psalm 112:6, Habakkuk 3:3 or Ephesians 1:16. I’m surprised how picking one word has stuck with me so far & really is something I think about when those moments of discontent rise up in my mind & heart…I realize it’s only January but I honestly didn’t think it would have much of an impact on me!