Before we end the first week in January, it’s time again for me to choose three words to give me focus for the new year. The idea of using three words instead of New Year’s Resolutions originated with public relations blogger Chris Brogan.

Chris explains, “Pick any three words that will guide you in the choices you intend to make for 2016. They should be words that let you challenge yourself as to motives and decisions. They should be words that help you guide your actions.”

My three words for 2016 are:

Gratitude

Daily

Acknowledge

These three words are inspired by a Christmas gift we received from my son’s girl friend, Amber, and the discussion we had about the gift.

The gift was a framed piece of artwork she had created using the phrase, “I will be grateful for this day.” In our discussion about this phrase, she mentioned how we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The prayer focuses our eyes on what God gives us daily. The appropriate way to respond to daily provision is daily gratitude.

I easily miss living in the current day because I worry about what might happen in the future, or I refuse to let go of something that happened in the past. Yet today is the only day in which I can act. So then, the only way I can make a difference is daily. And the place to look for God’s provision is daily. And I once I see his provision, it helps me to acknowledge it. This acknowledgement doesn’t need to be a lengthy prayer, but rather can be a “thank you” whispered to God, or a comment made to someone else about how God has provided.

In the previous two years, I have focused on my relationships with other people.

Here are my 3 words for previous years:

2014: notice, serve, and appreciate

2015: connect, appreciate, and thank.

This year I want to focus more on recognizing and responding to God’s provision in my life.

So thanks to Amber for inspiring my 3 words for 2016.