For the last number of years I’ve picked a “word of the year”. It’s kind of like a new year’s resolution but not. In 2024 - I picked the word - JOURNEY.

2024 was certainly a journey for me - spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. I quoted my dad who once said to me - “Don’t just arrive at your destination - take time to enjoy the journey!” Funny that he said this as he was always in a hurry to get to the next place.

Another fabulous quote that I read early in 2024 - “And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year - Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown! He replied - ‘go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!’” And travel with my hand in God’s hand I did and will continue to.

And so the JOURNEY of 2024 began. Harv and I (physically) visited our family and friends - it seemed we were either coming or going. Roadtrips were taken east - west - north and south. It always brings us great joy to spend time with our siblings in their homes - with our children and grandchildren in their homes - with friends - laughter during shared dinners - tears shed because of disappointments and losses - celebrating birthdays and anniversaries - watching hockey games and running races - basketball and volleyball games - we’re on the sidelines and in the stands.

Of course - the biggest journey of 2024 - was my trip to Spain with Zac and Ben - and our Camino walk. It brings back such strong memories for me. I want to go again. Any takers?

And then…….the word for 2025 was……

GATHER - so many opportunities for this word to come to fruition come to my mind - “to collect things - from different places” - “to put your arms around someone and hold and carry them in a careful and loving way” - “to become faster, stronger” - “to make a greater effort to be stronger and braver and more courageous” - “to make myself ready to do something special or difficult or challenging”.

Some similar words that come to my mind - assemble, congregate, combine, connect, merge, arrange, concentrate, join, rally, forage, understand, surmise - to name a few.

I’m excited to see how my word for 2025 plays out in my life.

Interesting - you betcha.

Challenging - always.

To quote my granddaughter - “Bring it on! I was born ready.”

And gather we did! Family and friends came to our home during the year - for a meal or two - for a night or two or three or more - for small group - for a coffee or tea or lemonade - for a beach day - for a quiet conversation - to meet up for a walk along Boiler Beach - to meet up for a bike ride. Sometimes the gatherings took place in the homes of my children and siblings and friends. All of those gatherings were treasured times - banking time and making memories.

Which brings us to today - the first day of 2026. Once again I’ve pondered - I’ve thought - I’ve gone back and forth - I’ve deliberated - and have decided on the word I want to focus on this year!

Excellence!

Recently I was asked by my pastor to lead the Tuesday morning prayer group and the topic I was given was one of our church’s key statements - excellence - we always bring our best!

I introduced the topic by comparing a Motel 6 to a 5-Star Hotel. Have you ever been to a motel - where the sheets are thin - where the bath towels are the size of tea towels - where there is a small container of watery shampoo but no conditioner or lotion - where there are stains on the carpet - where the drapes don’t quite meet and the parking lot lights shine in? You get the picture. Compare that to a 5 star - gold list hotel. The towels are thick and luxurious - the sheets are 1000 thread - the products include everything you could ever want - where there are no stains on the carpet - where everything smells fresh and new - the kind of place where you want to stay and stay and stay. What’s the difference. Excellence. You get what you pay for.

Two of my bible heroes come to my mind - Daniel (as in the lion’s den) and Ruth (as in “where you go I will go”)! This is what is said about Daniel - “then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps because an ‘excellent’ spirit was in him.” About Ruth it was said - “now my daughter - do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask - for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of ‘excellence’”!

Both Daniel and Ruth lived a life - above par - they didn’t settle for mediocre. Daniel chose to obey the teachings of his youth in a strange and foreign land. Ruth learned the teachings of her mother-in-law (after the death of her husband) and chose to make those teachings her own. They both lived in selfless devotion to God. They both lived faithful lives even when there were no angelic visits and no appearances from the heavenly hosts.

The Greek word translated “excellent” comes from “diaphero”which means “transport” or “differ”. These words encourage us to ascend above the norm - to be different through the qualities of virtue and goodness.

My desire this year is to aspire to bring my best - to have and excellent spirit - at home - on the pickle ball court - at church - with my family - with strangers - and with my friends. I want to pursue truth, honour, justice, worth and bravery. I hope to let go of self-reliance, pride and control - I want to put aside my own plans, desires and ego.

George Mueller said - “There was a day when I died. Died to George Mueller: his tastes, his opinions, his preferences, and his will. Died to the world and its approval and censure. died to the approval or blame of my brethren and friends. I only study to show myself approved by God.”

It’s not easy. In fact - I almost want to pick another word. An easier word. Like joy. Or gifting. Or friendship. Those words seem to me less difficult. Less in your face. However - I’m choosing to pursue excellence and I know it will put me to the test. How? Because everything will be a choice. Choosing grace when I’m offended. Choosing forgiveness when someone hurts me. Choosing resilience when relationships are testy. Choosing courage to step outside of my comfort zone. Choosing passion when I need to invest time and effort in something when I’d rather not. Choosing creativity to step outside the box and be different.

C.S.Lewis said this about excellence. “The full acting out of the self’s surrender to God therefore demands pain: this action, to be excellent, must be done from the pure will to obey, in the absence, or in the teeth of inclination.”

These three things I do know - - - - excellence is a goal worth pursuing - - - - there is a cost in pursing excellence and it is rooted in surrender - - - - a life of excellence must be portrayed in every day life.