Two thousand and twenty-two.

When I was young, that year sounded far off, and somehow anything that far away had to mean there were flying cars as a standard. My car still does not fly, yet here we are.

2021 was a surprising year that entailed much. I quit my teaching job, read a few books, found out we were expecting (I didn’t think my word of last year, create, would manifest in that way!), traveled to five countries, gave birth, and all the while learned much about myself.

I’m really interested to know what this next year holds. I never know, and I’m always surprised, yet every year, I never fail to wonder. And what, pray tell, is this year’s chosen word?

Wonder

While growing a tiny human, while everything was new and strange, I never really stopped to wonder. I was too distracted by the lists of things I should or shouldn’t eat, do, or think (yes, think, because someone tried to convince me that any passing negative thoughts were somehow going to ruin my unborn child.).

This year, I want to reclaim that and wonder at the world. I want to see it in a new light - and I think with Baby Z, it will be especially fun to see things in her eyes - everything really is new to her! I want to stop and acknowledge and wonder at the beauty that is the life gifted to me.

Here are some song lyrics to a favorite song:

May we never lose our wonder
May we never lose our wonder
Wide-eyed and mystified
May we be just like a child
Staring at the beauty of our King

'Cause You are beautiful in all Your ways…

“Wonder” Bethel Music

Here is to a year of wonder!

And in case you’re interested, here are some other words I have chosen in previous years:

2021: Create
2020: Growth
2019: Bold
2018: Liberation

Did you choose a word for 2022? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!