The start of a new year, month or season can be very exciting. They offer us moments to reflect on what has passed as well as dream about what is yet to come.

If you’re anything like me, each year is a welcomed fresh start. I map out where I want to be, set some goals and dreams and I’m off – only to find myself rewriting many of the same goals and dreams year after year. (A sad and unfortunately true reality.)

Not one to despair or lose hope (thank you Holy Spirit!), I tried different tactics year after year. A few years ago, after reading the book “My One Word”, I adopted the practice of prayerfully seeking one word to represent my upcoming year. It has been a practice that has stuck with me ever since.

Each year, the word God gives me is quite different, ranging from release to prepare. This year, my word is present.

I may be biased but I think this will be the most challenging and simultaneously rewarding word I’ve had thus far. In a sea of resolutions and goals, it reminds me to pause and be present, be still and be with God, right where He is.

It’s a reminder I think we all could use, especially at the start of a new year where we can be bombarded with setting goals, starting new habits and changing major aspects of our lives.

Being present with God is synonymous with being available. We can’t be readily available to God if our head and our hearts are filled with thoughts and longings for yesterday or consumed with dreams or worries for tomorrow.

As I thought about this word more and more, the phrase “Here I am Lord” continued to ring in my heart:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8

Here I am Lord. What kind of year would you have if this was your motto? Here I am Lord. Ready. Present. Available.

Among our lists of goals and resolutions I’d like to add one more, if I may. One that brings freedom and opens us up to the adventures and opportunities God has for us today. A resolution to be present with God and available to Him. Hands and hearts open. Ready to serve, to love, to go.

Ready for adventure, one day with God at a time.

Ready to say, each day, Here I am Lord, send me.