Polished – My 2025 Word 

I’ve been kinda cuddling my “word of the year” for a couple of weeks. 

Because it’s surprising, the way it came to mind and then enlightened me. 

Someone commented on instagram several weeks ago. Their words about my art were kind and I simply added that I wanted to continue to grow. 

And that I hoped to continue to be authentic in 2025 and also to become more “polished” in my brand and my presence. 

A goal, a motivation of sorts. 

Then, as I often do, I wondered what my Bible said about the word. 

I typed “polished” into the search block and the verse that resulted has led to exploration. 

“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There was already a sketch in the margin here, a woman in a purple gown with brown hair. 

This morning, I found the page in my Bible with all the “words of the year” scribbled and haphazardly jotted. 

I made a list, there were nine. The words, in a way predictably yearning. 

Breakthrough, Still, Faithful, Endurance, Victorious, Willing, Small Things…

In 2024 I had trouble committing. I started with Limitless and mid-year shifted to Quietly. 

“Polished”, I’m believing, is a word that’s different. 

2024 was a hard year for me. I won’t weigh you down with why.

There was just a lot of processing what had been held hidden, a lot of smoothing tucked away rough edges, and even more succumbing to acceptance of certain truths that were meant to lead to change. 

Closed doors of my heart were allowed the peering in by my Father. 

“Polished”. 

The scripture (I’ll remind you I’m not theologically educated) speaks of an arrow that has been readied and then safely protected in the quiver. 

Polished and protected for the intended target only God knows. 

Do I know what 2025 holds for my artwork and my writing?

Not at all. 

I only know I’ve been readied. 

I’ve been polished.

I’ve been kept in the Lord’s quiver.

The preparations have led to a polished arrow, me available in the timing and destination decided by God.

My word for 2025 found me. I didn’t go searching or choose because of my struggles or my longings.

It came by surprise. 

I thought I was talking about my art. I see it was and is me.