I have to admit something—I didn’t choose a word to focus on for 2016.

I know you’re probably like, What??!! Are you kidding me? . . .

What self-respecting Christian blogger doesn’t choose a word to focus on, be challenged by, and apply time-after-time all throughout the year?

Well, apparently this one. 😦 #bloggerfail

If you don’t know me very well, you might think I’m being totally serious here about how I’ve failed. But I’m really not trying to beat myself up over this choice “not” to choose.

So why am I choosing a word to focus on in 2017?

Well, I was chatting with a friend of mine (over coffee, I might add … Gotta bring the new year in right!) who reminded me that I had shared how I was making the practice of choosing a “word for the year” many years ago. And this inspired her to choose one of her own every year since that conversation.

And here’s the weirdest part—She’s not even a blogger! <gasp!>

My friend went on to say that it has really helped her spiritually throughout the years. And this, in turn, encouraged me to consider choosing a focus word for the year again.

A few days later the Lord sealed the deal for me and I wasn’t even thinking, “what word should I choose?” I simply was walking through a department store thinking about how I’d said something that I shouldn’t have.

Imagine that! Moi??!! 😉

But I digress.

In that moment of feeling guilty for my runaway tongue, I said to myself, I just need a better filter! (Mind you, I didn’t literally say this out loud or the shoppers crossing my path would’ve either silently filtered their judgmental agreement or nodded to me in a very unfiltered and obvious way!)

Suddenly the sky parted and rays of sunshine shone from heaven above! <cueangelicchoir>

And in that moment I thought to myself . . .

[Tweet “”Filter! Why, yes! That’s the perfect word for me!” #Filter2017 #Wordfortheyear”]

Here are two reasons why I need a “Filter” . . .

1. Filters keep impurities from defiling a good purpose or object.

That’s the most obvious reason for a filter. After all, we need filters for our water, our furnace, our car engines, our vacuum cleaners—oh and can’t forget—for our lovely pot of coffee, so why wouldn’t we need one for our minds and hearts? I know I do for mine! So this next year, I will endeavor to memorize and apply this amazing verse in that effort . . .

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” ~Proverbs 4:23 (NIV84)

2. Filters bring out the best and downplay the worst.

As an amateur photographer I’m learning more and more that adding filters to my images can be so powerful and impacting to my final product. Of course, some filters mask things that are unsightly and that’s certainly something I don’t want to do in this challenge. I want to be honest. But then some thoughts simply don’t need to be said.

Let me try that again . . . A LOT of thoughts simply don’t need to be said, especially when it isn’t “helpful for building others up” (see Ephesian 4:29).

So I will endeavor to focus on and highlight the positive in life and relationships rather than zeroing in on the negative this next year. And though there might be times when I should share ALL that I think about something—both the good and the bad—I will commit to only doing so with the “filter” of  “grace” and “love.” Besides, doing that almost always brings the best out in everyone. I think that’s because . . .

[Tweet “We are never more like the Father than when we are gracious and loving. #belikeHim #2017”]

Are you choosing a word to focus on for 2017? And if so, what is it and why?

If you’re not, then what are you doing instead, to keep yourself on track in 2017?

Linking up with these fine blogs –  Making Your Home Sing, Moments of Hope, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Word of God Speak, Spiritual Sundays, Mama Shares Monday, Sitting Among Friends, Faith ‘n Friends, Fresh Market Friday and DanceWithJesusFriday