Well it’s that time again..the time when I look back on my one word for 2014.

This has been the third time I’ve chosen one word for the year. (Check out the previous one words here- 2013 & 2012)

My word for 2014 was LOVE.

If I told you it was a easy word for the year, I would be lying. The Lord took me on a journey this year, that is for sure.

Here’s a few things I learned:

1. YOU GOTTA START WITH LOVING YOURSELF

Loving yourself is important. And no, I’m not talking about being weirdly obsessed with yourself. I’m talking about having a healthy view of yourself. As you read in my post, BIKINI BRIDGES & KICKING SELF LOATHING TO THE CURB, 2014 was the year that I experienced true freedom from self loathing. It’s been one wild ride and I owe all the thanks and praise to Jesus. I always thought that I would live with body image issues my whole life, that it was something that every woman had and that was normal.

Let's get this right- it may be the “norm” but it’s NOT how we ought to live.

Thank goodness, God convicted me of not loving myself how I ought to. His truth set me free (and it can set you free too!!!!!) and I am happy to say (or sing Bif Naked’s 90s hit…) I love myself today.

2. LOVE KEEPS LOVING

So much of my 2013 word (walk) was about persevering, about keep on keeping on. And I faced that once again in 2014. A lot of my prayers sounded like, “Oh Lord, help me to love today…as hard as it is, I choose to love.” I took a lot of deep breaths in 2014, breathing in His selfless love and breathing out my selfishness.

And don’t get me wrong…there were many times where I failed at love. There were times where I resorted to my natural selfish state. I’m in need of His grace so much. It’s only through Christ that I can love others above myself and that I can keep on loving through circumstance.

3. LOVE IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ANSWER…EVEN WHEN THE HATERS HATE, YOU KEEP ON LOVING

I’ve shared with you before that I’m the “glass is half full” type of girl. I’m a big fan of positivity and when negativity approaches, I usually run for the hills. This year I was faced with some negativity. Something was going on and I was the victim. In this situation, a very wise person gave me some very wise advice. My natural reaction was to become hardened, to become weary of others, to respond with spite. But this wise person told me what I needed to do was to be like Jesus. Love with humility. Respond with love and a humble heart, not with a proud and arrogant one.

That advice saved me from so much unwanted negativity. I learned that people are people. People will hurt you, they will say mean things, often these things are done from a hurting heart but oh, how things turn around when you respond with love and humility.

Love is always the right answer.

Just the other morning I read Romans 12 (in the Message). WABAAAM! It was like my whole year was summed up in the passage.

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

How amazing and practical those words were to me. 2014...the year of love.

Have you got a word for 2015? I would love to hear it! I will be sharing my one word for 2015 later this week! Please email me if you would like to share yours! laura at ssheart dot com

xoxo,

s.s.♥︎