EXPANSION began 2018 (this is when I first began creating a theme word for the year). ADVENTURE filled 2019. EMBRACE captured 2020. ARISE led 2021. SEEK guided 2022. When asking God for my theme word for 2023, He gently revealed SELAH. 

Selah — The New American Standard Hebrew Lexicon defines the Hebrew word (סֶֽלָה) as “to lift up, exalt.” Some scholars believe that Selah was a musical notation possibly meaning “silence” or “pause.” This Hebrew word is included 74 times in the Bible (71 times in Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk). It is actually a musical term that means a suspension of the music, or a pause. It comes from a root word that means to weigh. It indicates a pause in the music to weigh what the song is saying. It is a moment of reflection or time given to consider the message.

My favorite interpretation of Selah is pause, and calmly think of that…

That is what I will be doing in 2023 as I reflect in gratitude for God’s presence, love, grace, peace, healing, strength, wisdom, provision and faithfulness:

As…

• Our oldest daughter recovers fully from ACL surgery and gets back to collegiate basketball
• Other family members may be scheduled for important surgeries
• God guides me to invest more hours into my business and career
• I participate in a new Mastermind Support Team with likeminded colleagues, and continue fueling my spirit in a women’s Bible study
• Our youngest daughter turns 18 and graduates from high school
• Our family celebrates multiple milestones with a long overdue Eastern Caribbean vacation
• I co-lead a Selah in the Sun Yoga Retreat in Paros, Greece
• My husband and I celebrate 30 years of marriage, and continue to mentor premarital couples
• My hubby contemplates retiring from his first career to begin another
• Both of our daughters will be living out-of-state, in different states, for college (lots of travel!)
• I co-lead an exciting Seek & Safari Yoga Retreat in Africa
• Our oldest daughter turns the big 21!
• I consciously pause to {{hug}} others longer, and more often
• I am open to God’s continual divine surprises, shifts and changes

“Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” —Psalm 62:8 AMPC

Every year of our lives is unique, presenting different opportunities and experiences. I hope you make time to SELAH—pause and reflect. What are you intending for 2023? 

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