I grew up in Southeast Texas, not too far from the Gulf Coast. I loved going to the beach as a kid. I loved playing in the surf – jumping waves and floating around in the water. I remember one time playing in the water for a while and when I looked up, I had drifted down the coast quite a way from my family. The undertow had carried me without me even knowing that I was drifting. I remember having to get out of the water and walking back up the shore to get to them. NOT FUN!

Life can be like that. When we are not paying attention, we can drift away from where we want to be. We can drift from important relationships like our marriage or our relationship with our children. We can drift in our jobs or in the area of our physical health. When we look up, we realize that we have gone a long way away from where we started. Most of the time, drifting takes us in a way that we do not want to go.

My phrase for 2017 is RENEWED FOCUS. I have drifted some in my life and 2107 is the time that I will get back on track. It is always exciting to be refreshed and renewed.

Areas of Renewed Focus

• Health
  • I drifted in my weight loss efforts from the past couple of years and I need to get back on track.
• Spiritual
  • So much of my study time this past year was directed at preaching. Therefore, I need to get back to some of the spiritual disciplines for my personal relationship with God.
  • Scripture Memory
  • Journaling
• Professional
  • I have started a couple of certifications for coaching/counseling that I have not finished. I have begun working toward completing those.
  • Reading more books
  • Writing more blogs

RENEWED FOCUS is a phrase that will be an emphasis in my life for 2017. Being able to stay focused on the leadership of God will be the key to having a great year.

What is your word or phrase for the New Year? I would love to hear what word or phrase that you will be working with.