As 2024 is just beginning, I have been thinking and praying about a word I want to focus on for the year. I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions, as I often lose momentum after a few weeks, but I do like to have something I focus on for the year. 

For 2023, my focus was to be INTENTIONAL. I wanted to be intentional in my relationships, my home businesses, my time with the Lord and my health. Some things went well, and others were more challenging.

A few years prior, my focus was CONTENTMENT. Let me tell you, so many things came at me that year that challenged my contentment. But it made me lean harder on Jesus as my only source for contentment.

My word for 2024 is 

LISTEN

I am an extrovert and am not always a good listener. I verbally process and frankly, I like to talk! I sometimes think about my response while someone else is talking, so I’m not truly hearing what is being said.  

Listening is a gift that I admire in others, and it is a skill I want to work on.

I want to listen...

  • To God’s still, small voice
  • To my husband and hear his dreams, struggles, and leading as he listens to the Lord
  • To my kids for what is being said, and what is not being said
  • To a hurting friend who needs a shoulder to cry on
  • To the widow who needs to talk with someone who’s been there
We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded with noise. It’s hard to hear ourselves think sometimes, much less listen to someone else. The noise keeps us numb, detached and self-focused. And worst of all, we don’t hear God’s calm, quiet voice.

I don’t want to miss God’s gentle leading because I am too busy to hear Him because I am checking things off my list and filling my mind with noise. I don’t want to miss His quiet prodding to reach out to a grieving widow that needs a listening ear. I want to hear the spoken and unspoken things and not be so swift to talk.

May I learn to "...be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger." James 1:19

Do you have a word for 2024? Share with me in the comments.
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This post may contain affiliate links.
Finding Hope and Healing Through the Stages of Grief (Bargaining, part 1)
Nurturing My Grieving Family by Working From Home
My Financial Journey as a Young Widow, Part 4

1 Comment

  1. Ruth Beck  01/05/2024 07:33 AM Central
    I too struggle to listen. I am an extrovert and the main phrase in my head when talking to someone is ‘GET TO THE POINT”. When I was younger my dad would grab my face and say “look at me” when he was talking to me. He told me that making eye contact with someone and not looking around when you are taking to them is a living thing to do. It helps me listen and it makes the person aka my husband feel heard. I will be praying with you and asking God to help me also to listen and to quiet my voice In my head that thinks my opinion and answer is so much more needed than what the person I’m talking to is saying. Sometimes people just want to be heard and not answered back. It’s a struggle BUT GOD! ❤️
    Lisa Bailey AUTHOR  01/05/2024 05:22 PM Central
    Thank you for sharing this, Ruthie!

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