true contentment: my word for 2018

Here we are, two-thousand and eighteen already! I will join many others as I say two-thousand seventeen went by so fast!!

It was such a fun + exciting year! I saw my bestie from Virginia 3+ times (that never happens!), I started a relationship with a very special man in March, then married him in October, God taught me what it meant to be real (my word for 2017), I was a bridesmaid in my bestie's wedding, i learned so many new + wonderful things from my Heavenly Father, I shot my first engagement session in December, and so many more wonderful things!

Along with the many blessings this past year, there were also some difficult times. My best friend's mother went to be with Jesus, then a few weeks later my great-grandfather joined her in Heaven. I was challenged + stretched in many ways to put away fear and instead put on faith & trust in God.

Like I said last year, God was with me every step I took, He is faithful & He is good no matter what. 

I'm so thankful for a new year created by Him & can't wait to see what the future holds!

Like I've done for the past 3 years now, I took time towards the end of the year to pray & ask God what my word + focus should be for 2018. He gave me contentment. Along with my word, He gave me scripture to focus on:

Psalm 23 }}
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. he maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presents of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Philippians 4:11-13 }}
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content I know both how to be abased, and how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1 Timothy 6:6 }}
But godliness with contentment is great gain

My desire is to learn just what it means to be completely content in Christ, with the things I have, and where I am at on this journey of life.

I'll be doing more posts in the future, sharing what I'm learning & what it means to be contnet.

Please share your word or focus for 2018 and if you have any special verses to go along with it.

Happy two-thousand eighteen!

~Tashia Nicole

REAL | my word for 2017

It's kinda hard to believe that 2016 is over. It was a good year -- filled with many joys and also many struggles. God was faithful through it all.

The months and years may change, seasons come and go, but God is always the same loving, faithful God. He doesn't change. How thankful I am for that!

As I thought about 2017 and all the new opportunities it may hold, I took time to pray and ask God for my "word" for 2017. Not long after I prayed He gave me my word: real. It may seem a little funny, but God has already been using this word (and the idea/thought behind it) to work in my life.

My desire with this word is to be that very thing: real, authentic. Seeking to 'live in the moment,' to be all there. I love the quote by Jim Elliot that says: "Wherever you are, be all there."

I think so many of us in our culture today are consumed with social media, checking text messages and watching movies. I really want to work on being fully present when I'm with people.  I want to be able to look others in the eye, show them that I care, truly listen to their heart, and remember what they said.

I really appreciate when people look me in the eye when their talking. It shows me that their focused on me and talking with me, not scrolling through Facebook or texting a friend while at the same time trying to have a conversation with me. And I don't mean this in a selfish way where I need other's complete focus because I have awesome things to say! I simply mean we need to be fully present and genuinely excited to hear what others have to say.

My prayer is that you, as well as I, would seek to be all there. To live in the moment. To cherish the times spent with family and friends. To take extra time in listening to God's voice.

May God bless you as you continue to seek Him and His will for your life in this new year!

~Tashia Nicole