2016 Word

Over the last year there has been many times where this word has surfaced, so I had an idea this might be my 2016 word of the year. 

Several times I've had Titus 2 spoken over me, which talks about how the elder women are to teach the younger ones, etc...  As youth leaders, Richard and I sometimes have to say hard things to those in our group or even those just around us in our everyday lives.  I'm not too good at this and I'm hoping to get better.

I've also had this word come up in my career. As teachers we are observed in the classroom and then we, along with our administrators, get to set goals for ourselves. My administrator was so encouraging and said she wanted me to take more of a leader role.  I had to smile as God nudged my heart again.  

And for about a year I've been wanting a Baylor intern in my room but there is certain criteria that must be met first, but last month I found out that this coming semester I will get to have a Baylor intern!  

As much as this word is out of my comfort zone, I know God wants me to pursue it.  In my head, it's hard for me to lead because I don't want people to think I know it all or that I have it all together, because that is far from the truth, so I just keep quiet. I'm hoping this year He will teach me how to speak up where I can, humbly and in love.

I had a parent of one of my students give me the sweetest card for Christmas and I want to take her words into this next year as encouragement. She asked the Lord what He sees in me and then wrote down the following 

"The first impression I had was of a fire hydrant where the top had come off and water was gushing high into the air.  The word strength and refreshment came to my mind. A picture of children running to get soaked by the falling water." 

Wow, what a great word! I'm so thankful she took the time to share it! It will be something I treasure and refer back to when things get hard. So, here we go 2016, make me a leader!