more

Looking back on 2017 I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. It was a year of growth, freedom, grace, and love. I learned so much about myself & Jesus. I was blessed with people who poured into me, prayed over me, spoke life over me, and loved me well. It's hard to put into exact words what a year 2017 was for me.

As 2018 began, I started to create a list of everything I wanted to do, achieve, and learn in 2018. Knowing that the list would get lost within a few weeks and all of the goals would be pushed to the back burner, I started getting anxious about how 2018 would live up to the past year I have had. I had seen several people on social media talk about their "word" for the year and initially thought it was kinda stupid. But as I started praying more about what Jesus has for me in 2018, He kept giving me one word... MORE. We are 8 days in and this word is already etched on my heart for the year.

I know that "more" is such a broad word but Jesus has shown me and promised me several things He is going to give me more of. There are also sooo many things I want to be more of.

Here are 18 things for 2018.

1. More life - In every situation we have the choice to choose life or death. I want to choose life. I want to train myself to see the beauty in anything and everything.

2. More Freedom - Freedom from my past. Freedom from my present. Freedom from what the world has called me bonded in.

3. More security - I think that knowing the Lord and security go hand in hand. If we know who He is then we can be secure in who He has made us.

4. More intentional - To me, intentionality means effort in the right places. I want to strive for friendships that mean more than just company. I want to put my energy and time into the right people. I want my relationships to be God ordained, not forced. I want to be specific in the people I surround myself with.

5. More grace - Something I have struggled with for my entire life is a lack of grace. If somebody pisses me off, I'm just done. I want to look at people with the same heart Jesus has. I want to offer grace even when it doesn't make sense to me.

6. More rest - In todays society it's so easy to get caught up in being busy. Often times, I find myself with a packed schedule. Rest is something I want to focus on this year. I want to rest contently.

7. More bold - This one is pretty easy. I just want to walk faithfully in what God tells me to do, even when it is scary.

8. More known - Something I experienced in 2017 was being known by God. I don't think people talk about this enough. It was so vital for me to realize that Jesus wants to know me. That He sees me. The more you give to God- your struggles, fears, doubts, victories, failures, plans- the more you will feel known by Him. Theres something incredible about having a friendship with Jesus and telling Him everything about yourself. I want to do more of that.

9. More disciplined - Disciplined in the small things- reading my bible, prayer, exercise, sticking to my word.

10. More patience - I think we can all relate to this one ;-). Mainly I want to learn patience for what I expect out of God. There are some things that He has promised me but God doesn't work on time. I want to be patient in believing that the things He tells me will come to pass.

11. More Holy Spirit - This one is HUGE!!!! I have no idea what more Holy Spirit will look like for me this year, but I know that I expect great things. I wanna walk in the spirit more, learn more about spiritual gifts, and embrace the power that comes with Holy Spirit.

12. More listening - Jesus speaks all the time. It's easy to stop listening. I just don't want to miss what He wants to tell me and speak over me.

13. More truth - The more I walk with Christ, the more I began to see the lies I have believed for so long. For me, more truth means uncovering every single lie and believing to speak continuous truth over it. It means trusting more in what Jesus says than the world.

14. More joy - If the joy of the Lord is our strength then give me all the joy in the world!!

15. More worship - Worship is a daily choice. I'm learning that worship isn't just singing praises to Jesus (although that's probably my favorite way to worship). I want to worship Him with my words, thoughts, actions, and life.

16. More forgiveness - To forgive even when there's no apology.

17. More transparent - This one is pretty easy! Transparency for me just means being completely open & not holding back.

18. More trust - I am at a point in my life where my life could go so many different directions. One of the biggest things I am fearful for is my future. This year I want to focus on trusting that Jesus has a plan and purpose for me like He says He does. I want to trust that the path Jesus has for me is redeemed, chosen, and meant for glory.

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So, that's it! 2018 is going to be the best year yet. I am so excited to continue on the journey Jesus has for me!! I am praying for every single person reading this. Don't settle for a "less" year. Let's do more & be more!

-XOXO