word of the year | Students At Home

2023 Word of the Year: Wonder

by studentsathome

I realized on Friday, December 30, that I don’t remember my word of the year for 2022. Yikes! So, I decided to ask God if He has a word for me for 2023. Immediately, the word “Wonder” came to mind. Wow! I asked for confirmation – like maybe I was imagining this was the word He had for me. But yes indeed – Wonder.

Photo courtesy https://typeinspire.com/wonder/

I feel hopeful about this word. I have so many questions! And Wonder seems to be the solution. For example, I can be willing to ask questions like, “What if?” And remain curious as I wait for answers. I can also look for ways God shows up and enjoy the beauty and “wonders” of nature and humanity. Wonderful!

Here’s what Wonder means:

Verb (used without object)

* to think or speculate curiously: to wonder about the origin of the solar system

* to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel (often followed by at): He wondered at her composure in such a crisis

Verb (used with object)

* to speculate curiously or be curious about; be curious to know: to wonder what happened

* to feel wonder at: I wonder that you went

Noun

* something strange and surprising; a cause of surprise, astonishment, or admiration: That building is a wonder. It is a wonder he declined such an offer

* the emotion excited by what is strange and surprising; a feeling of surprised or puzzled interest, sometimes tinged with admiration: He felt wonder at seeing the Grand Canyon

I wonder how Wonder will show up this year?

Do you have a word of the year? If so, please share it as we prepare to navigate 2023 together.

God Holidays Holy Spirit Nature

2021 Word of the Year: Breath/Breathe

by studentsathome

I received my word for the year tonight, thanks to my CPAP. (That’s the machine I use at night to keep me breathing when my mild sleep apnea acts up.)

The CPAP machine I use requires that I not breathe out of my mouth. I place the headband around my skull and set the nasal pillow under my nose. Then, I close my mouth and breathe in and out.

Not too hard, right?

Photo courtesy of https://www.pinterest.com/pin/575475658606750435/

But I want to open my mouth and inhale/exhale! I’ve always been a mouth breather and feel like I need this option in order to sleep well.

As I struggled tonight to keep my mouth closed, I started to think that I might never get the hang of this machine. Maybe I’m destined to not sleep well! However, breathing is important to my health. I need – and want – to breathe and sleep better!

While trying to relax and use my CPAP properly, I asked God to help me breathe. I pictured myself breathing Him in and breathing Him out. I instantly felt relaxed, and I instantly knew that “breath/breathe” is my word for the year. I don’t know exactly how it will come into play, but I do know that I need this word as I remain centered in and reliant on God and as I calm myself down when I feel stressed or upset.