Content - in a state of peaceful happiness; contented, satisfied, pleased, gratified, fulfilled, happy, cheerful, glad, unworried, untroubled, at ease, at peace, tranquil, serene

Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

In just a couple of weeks, at the beginning of the new year, I will be going on a trip like no other trip I have ever been on. Preparing for this trip, my emotions have been all over the place. Excited, overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, content.

Content is not usually a word someone would use to describe their feelings about a trip to visit areas of extreme poverty. But it is what I am feeling tonight. Why? Because I know that God has been preparing me for this trip, not just since May when I made the deposit. But He has been preparing me for this trip my whole life.

In an e-mail from our trip leader today, he reminded us that God has been preparing each one of us for this upcoming trip since before each one of us was born! Can you even imagine that?

So it is only fitting that I choose the word 'content' to be my word of the year for 2014. I want to be 'in a state of peaceful happiness', knowing that God is with me at all times and in all circumstances. He will never leave me nor forsake me. At all times, I can be thankful for His presence in my life.