A girl can read a whole lot of back issues of More Magazine on a seven-hour drive home from Minnesota before the word sinks in.
So there I am, staring out the window at the white fields and cartwheeling windmills of Iowa, More Magazine open on my lap, when the word slips quietly into my consciousness.
“I think I have a word,” I say, turning to Brad.
“What kind of word?” he asks, pulling out his earbud. He’s listening to Wild in one ear while he drives. The kids play MineCraft on our phones in the backseat.
“You know,” I say, “like a touchstone. A word to guide me throughout the whole year. A word I can come back to when I go astray.”
“Enough,” I say. “I think my word is enough.”
Brad pauses. “It’s a good word,” he says. “It’s the perfect word.”
Truthfully I had no intention of choosing a One Word this year. I’d been there, done that, didn’t really feel the need to do it again. But clearly God thought otherwise, because he slipped that humble word right into my head in the middle of Iowa last Wednesday, just when I least expected it.
You see, God knows I have issues. I have a lot of issues, actually. I sneeze way too loudly. I require clean, uncluttered kitchen counters to ensure my mental health. The Chipmunks make me want to move to Yemen. A school day cancellation after 16 days of winter break compels me to write Facebook posts that rant, “I’m going to light my hair on fire and run down the street naked.” And in addition to these issues and many, many more, I also have a tendency to want more.
More, more, more.
Just a little bit more please. A little more money. More house. More shoes. A few more blog subscribers and Facebook fans and Twitter followers. More please, I’m almost but not quite satisfied, thank you very much.
And so, as January unfurls into February and soon March into April, and my very first book lands on bookshelves and in the Amazon warehouse, wherever in the world that is, I know my issue with wanting more is going to ratchet right up into the stratosphere.
More sales.
More reviews.
More readings and events.
More accolades.
More, more, more.
Which is why God knows my 2014 needs to be about enough.
Enough, no matter what.
No matter how many, or how few, books sell. No matter how many, or how few, reviews are posted on Amazon. Now matter how many or how few stars those reviewers give. No matter how many books other people sell, or reviews they get, or stars they receive.
No matter what happens, or doesn’t happen, it is enough.
Once upon a time I knew this. Once upon a time, six years or so ago, I knew the book was enough. Just writing the book was enough, more than enough, because writing it brought me back to God. And how could that ever not be enough?
But then, little by little, it became not quite enough. The book needed to change someone other than me. The book needed to make an impact, transform a life, become something more. I needed the book to be more.
The book became about finding an agent, and then about finding a publisher, and then about marketing and platform and promotion. Before I hardly even realized it, the book became not nearly enough.
And so the word enough fell into my lap last week. And I suspect it wasn’t one bit a coincidence. I suspect enough was the word I needed to hear right then, and I suspect enough will be the word I need to hear, and the philosophy I need to embrace, all year long.
Do you have a word for 2014? How did you know it’s the word you need?
My word for 2014 is “details.” Last year, my word was “amplify,” and details really takes the progress and momentum from “amplify” and carries it forward into, well, more detail. Your word “enough” struck me because I think that has been a subconscious word for me this past year. I have become so aware of the excess in my life and have a desire to truly recognize enough and to simplify and be satisfied.
Two really interesting words, Kari. And yeah, I’m with you — I think “enough” has been on my back-burner for a while now, too.
This is settling on me like a word from heaven, my friend. Yep, I needed to hear it too. My word is “Release”. I embrace it with expectation of being further stretched–
As always, thanks for keeping it real. Love that more than you know.
Release is a beautiful word – so much hope and freedom there, Kris. Thanks, always, always, for your encouragement!
I didn’t think I was going to have a word this year – then He flashed PREPARE in my spirit.
As I blogged – it is not only for me to prepare, but to acknowledge all He is preparing for us, or has already prepared.
I pray ENOUGH to fill you, this year and always.
I like your various understandings of the word “prepare,” Karin. Not just you preparing for Malawi, but resting in the assurance that God has already prepared the way for you, not only to get there, but to thrive there.
This is so good.
Thanks, Shawn – and thanks for the share on Facebook.
There isn’t a number in the world that will ever be enough. He is enough, he has to be. That is what I remind myself of daily. I am so there with you Michelle, thanks for being real.
I think we do need to remind ourselves of God’s enough every day, because it’s so easy to fall into the trap of “more.” Our society programs us for more, and prayer, trust and focusing on God is the way I am constantly deprogramming that pervasive message from inside my head!
“Enough” is certainly my word! It has been my word since the fall, but it must not have penetrated because it seems more and more is being stripped away so “enough” can take center stage. More specifically then “enough”, “God is enough”. He is enough when all else is stripped away, the money, the job, your health, your addictions, and every other thing, that when stripped away, puts an ache in your heart and a question your mind. When the tears fall onto the empty “nothingness” that is left. GOD IS ENOUGH. ALWAYS HAS BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE!
Touchstone..waht a great reason to come up wiht a word or words as is my case. Being one tht hold back and the idea of entusiactic jumpimg in fills me with dread knowing I only have so many jumps in me. My words are Leaning In. A slow intnetional process of engaging and listening for what I love ot do, the people I love and work and the Word adn leanig in to God. I thinkI need a sgin or something for my doorposts and my wrist. Thank you for sharing “enough”.
That is an excellent word which God gave to you for 2014, Michelle! And, reading your post, I thought of my own experience in writing my books – looking back, it WAS enough to simply write these novels because I so felt God’s presence with me as I created. I mention that in my latest blog.
My word for the year is “watch.” To see God moving in my life, to be expectant, to be open to His call.
Hope you will visit me at http://marthaorlando.blogspot.com.
My word for 2014 was new SHO!
And here’s to leaving just one word to all that you said and knowing it is enough ~ YES.
Fellow MORE reader here, for reinventing, thinking women of a certain age.
Also a fellow head nodding student of “enough”…
carve away all,
our relationship with God is all that is eternal.
I never chose a “word” before and never thought I would this year, either. But the word “real” came to me. I need God to be real in my life – I need a real relationship with him. I need to be real in my marriage and my relationships and get real about my health etc. I am so excited as I see God putting together instruction and encouragement for me from several sources as I begin this year of being REAL. I know that it will NOT be easy. Looking forward to your book release!
Great word. A reminder I need often. My word is Validate
Yes! Yes! Yes, Michelle! I love how God journeyed you right into your Word ~ His WORD for you this year of 2014!
For me, the Word is EMMANUEL He is WITH me ~ no matter what! Always and Forever WITH me! With Him leading, guiding, undergirding, I can handle whatever this year and this world has to hand me! His Story is my story in oh-so-many ways, as I grow ever closer to Him, as I watch Him uncoil – unwind – undo situations that to my natural eye and heart seem impossible to change! Thank you for inspiring your readers to sit with ENOUGH. EMMANUEL is my ENOUGH!
I thought, Oh enough already! I have said that a lot this last year… But you mean, It (everything it is) is enough. I say, let us all give thanks for enough. We all have enough, right now, today, and tomorrow. We are all truly blessed. “Enough” certainly is a good reason to rejoice, and to give thanks, and to stop wanting more more more… I like your word. Oh and congratulations on being published. That is more than enough. That is a miracle in these times in publishing. God blessed you there! My word for this year is “Come”, as in James 4:8 “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” How did it “come” to me? I memorized 2 verses per month all of last year, and I memorized both James 4:7 and 4:8a. But it didn’t “come” then. I was praying about our new church building being finished and almost ready to open its doors, and in my mind, I saw Jesu standing in the open doorway with arms open, saying, “Come”. The tears came to my eyes and I knew that was my word for this year. Many more people will come into the Kingdom of God in 2014. God blesses them all! I’m so thankful for Facebook, so we can have this conversation at all. I never thought Facebook would be so useful. It’s not just for grandkids pictures. LOL Thank you for writing this blog Michelle, the whole blog, not just this post.
Honey Girl, (I’m calling you that for this brief minute of time because as I read your words, that was all I could think of as I nodded my head with you!)
I see you and I hear you and I am joining you in this prayer for enough.
Enough of Christ.
Enough.
Period.
I so love it when you write your heart out in this way because I am able to see myself and see Jesus in your words.
I can so relate to you with wanting more of this and that. Then wanting more steals my peace and I get stressed. Thank you for the word enough. A message for me too to calm down and let God provide for my needs and lead me to be used where he wanted me to.
That’s a great word, Michelle, and I think God will use it powerfully in your life this year (especially w/ your book coming out). I just did a Bible word search of it, and it’s amazing how many “enoughs” are in the Bible, and used in a real variety of ways, with different shades of meaning. You’ll find it fascinating. One question that occurred to me that you could ask yourself this year is: Is God enough? Perhaps if your answer to that is yes, then whatever else seems to be lacking (not enough) will really be inconsequential (perhaps not without some angst, but in the end, and by comparison), truly enough.
CAn’t wait to see how this unfolds!
Love
Lynn
The concept of choosing (or accepting) a word is somehow comforting. Mine is TRUST. As in, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” I’m only really beginning to embrace this, so it should be an interesting year! Beautiful post, Michelle.
My whispered word: One. Last year was “be buoyant” and I received it almost as a warning. It was a hard year and buoyant was what I needed. Reminders to be securely anchored to Him so when the waves crashed and I was pushed to the depths I could rise up to tell about Him and what He was doing.
One…this year He is my One. The One who comes before all else. The One approval I seek, the One who comforts, rescues, supports, encourages, protects, delivers and shields me. The One company, presence and nurturer I seek out. The One place I retreat to for rest, reason, peace, focus and strength. The Husband who comes before my earthly one, the lover in whom I delight and is the one resource for joy, energy and oxygen.
It’s time all things were stripped down to where One thing remains. Jesus.
No word for 2014. None for 2013 either.
Ah, Michelle! Great word choice… God lays them on our hearts, doesn’t he? My word for the year is “peace”… something I was lacking last year and chasing at intervals. And suddenly, the word was before me every where I turned — tucked in my Christmas decor, in my Bible verse of the day, in the song on the radio. Everywhere. And so I knew… I need to seek peace and only through a steadfast heart and focus on HIM can perfect peace be found.
God bless!
xo Heidi
I am still at the heart of last year’s word; “yield”. I can hang there for as long as needed..because I’m still learning that’s enough too.
Well, hon, you’re gonna have to read about mine. Can’t put it into a sentence – http://dianatrautwein.com/2014/01/a-new-year-a-new-word-a-new-direction/ And then you can click to the latest one and see if you want to join the conversation. I’m guessing not as you’ve got a LOT on your plate just now.
Michelle, I’m smiling warmly your way. Hope is my traveling companion this year and Enough was my word for last year, in large part because of Brene Brown’s work. If at all possible, I like to find a book to help support “us” (my word and I) in our journey and my favorite last year was “A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough” by the always gentle and wise, Wayne Muller. (His book, “Sabbath,” is another gem)
Wishing you all of the best in your journey together. And just so you know, I’ve been grinning to see that your book is being announced. Warmest congratulations.
Hi Michelle! I love your blog and the cover of your book!! Can’t wait to read it! I love your word enough too! I think for me this year my word is “through”. As in Psalm 23. I am defiantly walking through a terrible valley this year and many prior years. But God is so good. He does walk through it with us to guide and comfort us. Sometimes, not always I love the valleys. Because this is where I draw closest to Jesus. It is a rich time, although very painful at times. But He is always there to help me. Blessings and thankfulness for you sweet sister! εїз.¸¸.•´¯`