One Word 2017

I no longer participate in the official One Word project, but I still choose a word each year to help me focus and keep on track.  This year, as usual, I've tried out several words.  Some were just completely wrong.  Some seemed to fit in most ways, but just didn't "click" with me.

The One word for my year came to me driving to work yesterday.  It is PRESENT.  Present is a word with many meanings.  Among other things, present refers to: a gift (a birthday present), the act of giving or introducing something or someone to another (He was presented to the queen.), and being in the present time or now.  There are plenty of other meanings or variations, but those are the three I'm going to be concentrating on.

For 2017 I plan to be purposely present in the moment.  I tend to be a dreamer so this is a hard one for me.  I have gotten very bad at living in the moment and enjoying life as it happens.

For 2017 I plan to focus on the fact that God is present in my life and in fact, in all things.  I want to be always aware of His presence in my present.

For 2017 I plan to appreciate all the presents God blesses me with...and ask Him for ALL the presents He has for me.

For 2017 I plan to look for opportunities to share the greatest present I have been given...the truth of the gospel.  I want to present the present to as many as I can!

For 2017 I plan to present myself differently.  I tend to be introverted.  There's nothing wrong with that, but born out of an incident back in November I've come to realize the feelings of being invisible that I sometimes deal with are born out of how I act.  There are things that need to change.

I am sure there are many more ways that present can influence my life that I haven't thought of yet.  I'm looking forward to the present year and each present it brings.