My Word of the Year for 2022

For a decade now I’ve been adopting a “word of the year” from which to set my intentions and priorities for the year. It has been one of the most meaningful traditions of my adult life. Join me as I share the back-story behind discovering my “one word” for 2022, its two facets, & my prayer for the year ahead. Let’s dive in!

*I’ve included affiliate links below for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.

A Decade-Long Tradition

My memories are stickiest when I can file them into a year:

Kindergarten.
7th grade.
Senior year of college.

Then what?

After college graduation, I remember it feeling like I had entered an open abyss of timelessness. How does one mark the years beyond the bounds of formal schooling?

I grasped onto what I could with milestones, geography, and even hair color:

First year of marriage.
Third year in Ohio.
The year of peekaboo red highlights.

And then in 2013, I learned about the notion of choosing a “word of the year” from blogger Elise Blaha Cripe. And I decided to take a LEAP (my word that year) and give it a go.

A decade later, I’m still going.

And now, my years no longer bleed together like watercolor paint in a cup of muddy water; they maintain their color and definition by their unique word:

• 2013: Leap
• 2014: Balance
• 2015: Surrender
• 2016: Purpose, not Perfection
• 2017: Nourish
• 2018: Rhythm
• 2019: Presence
• 2020: Enough
• 2021: Remember

Dear reader, this annual practice has done so much more for me than helping me mark time and file memories.

Choosing one word gives a focus for my multi-passionate self. One word is memorable–and that’s half the battle, right? Remembering what we set out to do, so we can stick to it.

And when I step back and look at that list of words from the past 9 years, I see the much longer journey I’ve been on, and the shift happening in my heart–from finding my worth is in what I DO or ACHIEVE each year to believing my worth is in WHO I already am–a fully known and fully loved child of God.

Sidebar to say that writing that paragraph above feels like nothing short of a miracle for a recovering perfectionist, enneagram 3 “achiever” like myself. So so grateful to God for that growth.

But that’s the thing. Each “word of the year” has the potential to change us. And prepare us for next year’s word.

Like the different legs on Frodo’s trek to Mordor, there’s a much larger quest we find ourselves on. Only the Author knows the twists and turns we’ll take, the unlikely friends we’ll make along the way, the enemies we’ll battle, the wounds we’ll endure, how dark the night, how triumphant the mountaintops. Our terrain may look more like mounds of laundry rather than the rolling hills of Middle-earth, and our travel companions may look more like crumb-covered kids than crumb-covered hobbits.

But God is writing an epic redemption tale. Do we have the eyes to see it?

{You know you weren’t getting out of this post without some Tolkien-esque drama! Tee hee.}

Last Year’s Word: REMEMBER

So, where am I in my quest? First, a look back at last year….

“Remember” was my word for 2021, and I set out with some hopes for how this word might be realized. As always, things didn’t unfold exactly how I expected {eyebrow raise}….

I. PROJECTS OF REMEMBERING

Okay, so I set out with a bullet point list of 5 photo projects I wanted to work on annnnnd didn’t complete any of them. It’s all I can do not to feel major frustration with myself for that.

But then, I consider all the “Projects of Remembering” I DID take on–projects that really mattered to me and aligned with my goal to get more photos on our walls, into books, & into video scrapbooks for our family.

Here were a few worth remembering:

• hanging a massive 9 frame gallery wall in our living room
• collaborating with Juniper on 5 photo memory books for Grandparents Day
• coordinating a family reunion photo shoot in June
• creating a “BCL Waterford Remembered” video slideshow
• creating video reels of our family bike adventures this fall
• digitizing home videos for viewing at my high school reunion
• completing the 6th year of our “One Second Everyday” video project

I’m so thankful I poured my time and energy into those projects, and I am still looking forward to working on those 5 photos projects that were on my heart a year ago. That goal is tucked in my pocket and coming with me into 2022.

II. A NEW APPROACH TO BLOGGING

In order to dedicate more time to my “Projects of Remembering,” I decided not to put pressure on myself to churn out new blog content and considered 2021 a sabbatical from blogging–giving myself permission to blog if I felt inspired.

I ended up publishing four blog posts I couldn’t resist writing, and also had the margin to take on an Instagram collaboration of my dreams with the Rogers & Hammerstein corporation

(Yeah, still pinching myself over that one.)

I found this relaxed approach incredibly freeing and am tucking this in my pocket for 2022, as well–only saying “yes” to writing a new blog post if it’s a “heck yes”–and choosing not to feel shame if I don’t publish one new thing.

Here’s to more creative freedom and extra margin for working on the projects that we’re most passionate about in this new year!

III. UNEXPECTED REMEMBERINGS

I did not expect that my “year to remember” would involve grieving two ends.

Our sweet cat Mangey, who adopted us 9 years ago, died unexpectedly in June. Here’s a link to my written tribute to her.

And in September, our church campus where I have worked as theatre director for 7 years closed its doors due to financial hardship. Here’s a link to our fall coffee date when I shared about it.

I learned so much about lament and the necessity of community last year–hard lessons I wish I could have avoided, but I have seen God working out all things for good.

I’ve experienced so much growth this past year in not running from “negative” feelings but letting myself feel them, and I’ve seen how my relationships are strengthened when I let others in on those real, raw emotions–and that includes my relationship with God. And for that, I can truly say I’m grateful.

IV. REMEMBERING WHO I AM

Every single day, I find myself battling the lie that I am loved because of what I do and not because of who or whose I am.

But one thing is for certain: my best defense against the lie is to continually remember what God says is True. And to work regular rhythms into my day, week, and year when I can spend distraction-free time with Him.

Here’s what that looks like right now:

1. daily: reading His Word or spending time in prayer in the morning before I look at my phone.
2. weekly: practicing Sabbath as a family, resting from all work for a literal 24 hour period each week. {Read more here.}
3. annually: spending a week unplugged from devices in order to be present with God and family. {Read more here.}

These are rhythms I know I need and they’re worth returning to, even after I’ve wandered away for a spell.

Oh how I loved having REMEMBER as my “word of the year” in 2021. It’s a word with depths to be mined yet, and I was tempted to choose it again for 2022.

But instead, I’m choosing to trust that you don’t abandon a word at the year’s end when picking up another one–it comes along with you along with the lessons you’ve tucked away.

And my REMEMBER has a direct link to this year’s word, which is (drumroll)…

…FAITHFUL!

This Year’s Word: FAITHFUL

Every word of the year arrives in its own way and its own timeline, amiright?

Well, this year’s word came to me through a bit of lily pad hopping.

Hop!

1st lily pad: SHOW UP
“I just want to be more comfortable showing up as I am–imperfect, messy, without a plan… be it in my relationship with God or friends or with my Thinking Closet community. It’s all too tempting to wait to engage until conditions are perfect–and of course, that never comes. What if I dedicated my year to growing more comfortable with just showing up–as I am?”

Hop!

2nd lily pad: CONSISTENT
“Ooo. I like that this is one word instead of two. I do want to show up more consistently… buuuuuut, this one feels like a recipe for burnout. It’d be all too easy to try to run on my own strength, which never ends well for me. Machines are consistent, but I am not a machine. What is it I’m going after exactly?”

Hop!

3rd lily pad: FAITHFUL
“Ahhhh. This feels better. And like it holds potential for many different facets, which I always love in a word of the year. But I also need to make sure this isn’t just a spiritual-sounding disguise for CONSISTENT. What does FAITHFUL actually mean?”

And then, over the course of the next few days, I was slammed with the word FAITHFUL in nearly everything I read or listened to…confirming in my gut that I was on the right lily pad even if I didn’t fully understand the significance.

Has that ever happened to you? You knew your word before you really understood why it was your word?

Cool, cool. Glad I’m not the only one.

Now I have complete FAITH {wink wink} that the significance of this year’s word will become clear to me all in good time. But here’s what I know about it now.

A Definition

FAITHFUL: adj. to be true to one’s word or commitments; to do what you say you will do; to remain steadfast and unwavering.

A Scripture Passage

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” –Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

I’ve always loved that passage, and am declaring it my scripture passage for the year.

God is eternally faithful. Every morning when the sun rises and every evening when it sets–just like it did the day before, and the day before that–we are reminded of His faithfulness. We are reminded that His love and mercies never run out but are continually renewed.

That Truth is the greatest comfort to me with my prone-to-wander ways.

A Song

One of my favorite worship songs right now is Maverick City Music’s, “Promises,” which if you’re not familiar with it, do your soul a favor and watch it HERE or in the video player below. This song is a powerful proclamation of the faithfulness of God to carry out his promises. And I’m declaring it my theme song for 2022.

“I put my faith in Jesus. My anchor to the ground.

My hope and firm foundation. He’ll never let me down.”

God’s Faithfulness in 2022

So, what are my hopes for seeing this word, FAITHFUL, manifested in my life this year?

First and foremost, I want to REMEMBER God’s FAITHFULNESS to me. (Here is where I see the link between my words from 2021 and 2022).

Just like the Israelites who continually doubted God’s faithfulness to them, I can have the same spiritual amnesia. Pretty much every time I go to sit down with my Bible or light a candle for some contemplative prayer, I doubt that He’ll show up. Or wonder if He really does love me as much today as He did when I was seeking Him more.

{And here’s the part where I repeat word for word what I said a few paragraphs back….}

But one thing is for certain: my best defense against the lie is to continually remember what God says is True. That He is faithful to us and his mercies never run out.

So, my prayer this year is that God will help me to be faithful to return to Him each morning and to spend intentional time with Him in His Word and in prayer, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

This past month, I’ve been using the Val Marie Paper prayer journal, and there’s a section for answered prayer that I’ve already started filling up with the ways I see God at work and faithfully answering my prayers. It’s been such a powerful testimony to me already.

My Faithfulness in 2022

I yearn to be faithful to God like He is to me. But what does that look like for me–unfaithful one though I am?

Well, I’ll have this entire year to explore this big question… but here’s a little brainstorm:

I. FOLLOW-THROUGH

I want to really square up to what matters most to me and commit to doing it, no matter how I “feel” in the moment and without ideal circumstances.

I know my morning time with God is one of those things.

And I also yearn for increased faithfulness to the projects God has put on my heart (like my family photo projects). I don’t want to wait until conditions are “perfect” or blow off my priorities in response to the tyranny of the urgent, but rather carry out my commitments faithfully.

This is really hard for me. But I know God can and will grow me to be more faithful to finish what I start.

II. BEING TRUE TO MY WORD

“But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no,'” it says in Matthew 5:37. I yearn to be the kind of person who does what I say I will, even if I have to make adjustments along the way in order to be sustainable.

In that same vein, I don’t want to commit to things out of obligation, but rather give myself permission to only take on commitments that are only a “heck, yes!”

III. BEING FAITHFUL WITH MY TIME

Everyday, I want to get in a rhythm of surrendering my plans to God, asking, “Lord, What would you have me do today?”

Also, my phone is no doubt my biggest time-suck, and I want to get back to putting my phone “to bed” in the laundry room at least an hour before bedtime so I can wind down with a book and without a screen in my face.

As an aside, my *sunrise alarm clock is one of my favorite things, waking me up 10 minutes before my alarm with gently rising light to mimic the sunrise, giving me no excuse for needing my phone by my bedside.

IV. OFFERING MY ABILITIES FAITHFULLY

Before I post on Instagram or devote my time to a project, I want to ask myself,

“Is this primarily to serve myself or to serve God and others? The words I share, will they uplift and encourage others or potentially discourage?”

V. FAITHFULNESS IN MY RELATIONSHIPS

I hope to be a reliable presence for the people in my circle–”a friend for all seasons”–lifting them up in prayer more faithfully. And sticking by their side through the good times and hard times and mundanity in between.

A Faithfulness Prayer

Phew! That’s a lot. I’m already feeling that sense of doubt creep up–that any of this is possible. And it’s not–not on my own strength. To do any of this, I’ll need God’s help to make me faithful.

And so, here’s the prayer on my heart for 2022. Feel free to borrow this one and make it your own, my friend:

Great is your faithfulness, O God.

Just as the sun rises each morning and sets each night, you are forever true to your promises. Your love for me is steadfast, despite my prone-to-wander heart.

I confess I can so often entertain the lie that your mercies will run out.

Give me a heart that delights in your Word, so I can better remember your faithfulness and choose the way of faithfulness to you and others, day in and day out.

Help me to surrender my plans to you in the morning.

As I go throughout my day, help me to marvel at the reliability of your presence with me always, through every moment. May I look past less-than-ideal circumstances to be faithful to the commitments I’ve made and the relationships I have–especially to YOU!

At the day’s end, may I give you thanks for your provision, especially the provision of enough time for the good work you called me to.

Make my life a testimony of your faithfulness to those in my circle of influence–an example of how you fulfill your promises to your people.

Amen.

To Close

Dear reader, thank you for reading this far! Whether you joined me in my year of LEAP or ENOUGH or FAITHFUL, I’m so grateful for fellow pilgrims on this journey with whom to share the good ways God is growing us and stretching us and spurring us on.

I would love to hear what resonated with you and what your word of the year is! I delight to be your cheerleader, here to say that no matter how “well” you do your word this year, you are loved. We are loved. And that is the most freeing thing, no?

Let me close with this benediction:

“Now, may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” –1 Thessalonians 4:23

Where to Next?

I created a short reel for Instagram with a flip-through of all 10 of my “words of the year” from the past decade that I hope brings you a smile and spark of inspiration. Watch it HERE or in the embedded video below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lauren Lanker | REST, CREATE, CELEBRATE (@thinkingcloset)

For the curious ones, here are some more rabbit trails worth exploring on the blog:

• 2021: Remember
• 2020: Enough
• 2019: Presence
• 2018: Rhythm
• 2017: Nourish
• 2016: Purpose, not Perfection
• 2015: Surrender
• 2014: Balance
• 2013: Leap

*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping to support this site!