The past six or so years, I have selected a word to inspire me as I go about the new year. This year is no different, but the word I am using this year kind of caught me off guard.

I had grand hopes for 2012 being a year of prosperity and financial growth. Instead, it ended up being full of challenges that tried to shake my faith and break me. It was both emotionally and financially draining. While my children and I have experience many challenges the past few years, we always seem to maintain a sense of optimism and hope that the next day will be a better day. This type of positive thinking is what sustains us and as their mother, I have to watch the mood and tone I set in my home.

For 2013, I prayed about my word. I asked God to let it inspire me and give me hope. The word came to me boldly: Restoration. Immediately, I was reminded of Bible verses about God’s promises to restore what has been lost. While I have lost many material things, in their place, I have gained so much more. My spirit is strong and so is my mindset that some situations are only temporary. How I choose to deal with them will determine the quality of life I live, and I am planning to live one heck of an amazing life.

Do you have a word of the year?