January 2, 2023
Every year since 2016, the Lord has given me a focus word for the year.
2016 – Hope
2017 – Restoration
2018 – Renewal
2019 – Faith
2020 – Joy
2021– Purpose
2022 – Connection
***My word for 2023 is Hope***
“Be Joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
“Hope is seeing the light despite all of the darkness.”
Bishop Desmond Tutu
“Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, a feeling of trust.”
In 2016 my word for the year was hope. We had just ended fasting and prayer as a church, and I was hopeful for the rest of the year. Then a diagnosis, illness, and eventually death came to shake every fiber of my being all in seven short months.
Can you imagine having your world turned upside down, right side out, inside out, and feeling like you have lost everything in a few short months? When the “Ground Truth” was published, God started my healing journey and my family’s healing journey.
Every year of this journey, the Lord has built my confidence, courage, and faith, giving my life hope again, even when I could not see HOPE.
Someone asked me the difference between being in the valley and the dark pit I was in. God had to drag me reluctantly from the dark pit toward the Light. In the valley, you can see the Light there above you. When the enemy has you trapped in the pit, he is trying to keep you from the light. However, the Light is also there, but when the darkness consumes you, you cannot feel your way toward the light.
I will always be thankful for the prayers of the saints who prayed me out of the darkness of the pit. Whose prayers got through and on a lonely, almost fateful night when I heard from God, and there was a glimmer of HOPE.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6
He has Restored my existence.
He has Renewed my lease on life
Strengthened my Faith
Helped me to rediscover my Joy
He has given me a new Purpose
My Connection to Him and this life has been renovated.
This year I struggled between the words rejoice and HOPE when God said to have HOPE in Him. He brought me back to the word HOPE.
I HOPE for so many things this year as I continue this new chapter in my life. He knows that I have some upcoming challenges and faith leaps that I must take. I know the Lord will continue to renew my strength every day.

So, I will rejoice in the HOPE the Lord has given me.
So, I will not fear because I know LORD is with me.
I will not be dismayed because my GOD will strengthen and help me.
HE will uphold me with HIS righteous right hand. I am truly blessed and grateful.
Thank you Lord!