Ways I’ve Grown in My Faith Through My Word of the Year

At the beginning of the year, I shared my Word of the Year that God gave me. That Word was “grow”, and he gave me some areas that I would see him move in my life.

I’ve grown deeper in my walk with God.

In February and June, I went on a personal spiritual retreat. Both times, I spent four days atop a mountain and had a beautiful time with my God. Two ways I have grown closer to God are by using a prayer journal and preparing to teach in Sunday School.

I started a prayer journal to track prayer requests and any other needs I want to include in my prayers. Each day has a specific focus, and I will write a short prayer. I also have a space to write praises or answers to prayers.

Then, in Sunday school, I was asked to teach a couple of times, with more lessons soon. It has been a great deal of fun to plan, study, and teach again. We are currently studying the Book of Acts, and it has been amazing to read and learn how God built His church.

My garden has grown.

At the beginning of the year, I was also excited for spring to come, so I could start planting my vegetable garden and flower gardens.

God has blessed my garden. My vegetables are thriving. I’ve had a large harvest of cucumbers, and last week I made my very first batch of bread-and-butter pickles and sweet pickles. Now I’m just waiting for my tomatoes and green beans to ripen. I’ve also harvested bell peppers and lettuce.

I started my rose garden and have plans for several other flower beds. My sunflowers have attracted birds and squirrels. I have a family of Cardinals that visit every day. Early in the spring, Orioles said hello, and now my garden is a playground for hummingbirds. The other morning, I counted six of them fussing at each other over the feeders and flowers.

My family has grown.

My first grandbaby was born in May, and I am in love. She is perfect in every way, and I am excited to watch her grow and develop.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16

God has grown my cleaning business.

When I started cleaning, I had one business and one home. Then I added another home when my friend heard me talking about cleaning with someone else. At that time, I felt God say not to advertise because He would provide the ones I would be cleaning for. And that is what He has done.

In February, he gave me another home, and in June, another woman asked me to clean her house. So, I’m up to four homes and one business that God has blessed me with.

My blog will grow.

I’ve not seen much growth in this one, but I’m not worried about it. However, I have watched the map on my analytics page. It shows me different countries where someone has opened one of my blog posts. So, if that is you and you have read this far, THANK YOU!

I started this blog because my kids told me I should write a book someday, but I thought a blog would be a more accessible way to share my thoughts. I also wanted to share what God has been showing and teaching me, as well as what will encourage others. (Maybe that’s you!)

My verses for the year.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

These two verses were the first ones I found to help me grow in my faith this year. Over the past seven months, God has also given me other scriptures that have helped me grow closer to Him, some of which have a gardening theme. But he also gave me special verses.

In two of them, he told me he loved me; in another, he gave me a calling. And this month, he has been reminding me to taste and see that He is good. Psalm 34:8

“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. “Isaiah 43:4

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

So, my friend, I pray you are encouraged as you read my words. I know God is doing great and mighty things. We just need to stop and listen for His voice. He is waiting to help us grow deeper in our walk with him, so join him in the garden.