By Marianne Wood

My word for 2025 is optimizing. I have some questions to guide why.

Have you ever noticed that food tastes weird when you are sick? I’m sure you have. Even chocolate cake. But especially salsa and other spicy foods. Mild salsa on a tongue infected with a cold feels like an acupuncture treatment. And even the best buttercream with Madagascar vanilla icing has no zing. Everything except chicken soup goes down unsatisfactorily. But there are ways to make the days of confinement and dull food consumption more bearable and productive. I can work on it. Optimize the downtime from a stuffy nose and a hacking cough by doing what can be done. Yes, I mean, take a look at that junk drawer. “You have the time and just enough energy,” I tell myself.

Have you ever noticed that the best vacations are the ones we plan well and release? If we let go of the reins once belted in on the road or up in the sky, we exhale and turn over the exhaustive preparations to follow the road or ride along. Time takes on a new dimension, especially in airports where liminal time–the not yet and the not past–occurs right now. If we try, travel time can also be optimized or used for an excellent purpose. Note: I did not say “time travel.” Oh, but I wish.

Preparing to travel reminds me of the hundreds of art lessons I have delivered over the years. I planned well for those, too, and then let the magic happen. This magic occurred several weeks ago in a 2nd through 5th grade Sunday School class. I still marvel at how it proceeded with a talented young staffer to aide me, so I want more of this. Seeing that my past is optimizing my present is nice. I’ll bet yours does, too.

Have you ever noticed that spontaneous or loosely planned invitations often turn out to be the best? The day after Thanksgiving, we had friends over for a fun morning. It was planned: hoped-for, but mostly a pull-the-trigger-now kind of get-together. The children made creatures and vehicles from boxes and bits of glue and tape, playing outside and in while the grownups chatted up a storm, reconnecting. I want more of this, too.

Have you ever noticed that the leaves on the trees turn fantastically gorgeous just as we are finally adjusting to Standard Time? Ooof…we made it! We can finally see what to do next through our bleary eyes; beauty is beyond belief. What else am I missing, I ask myself?

Have you ever noticed that some friends are gone before you fully appreciate their presence? I attended funerals for two friends in one week. Neither person was all that old. We’d made rich connections over the years, but one thing or another got in the way of meeting more often. I regret this. I need to optimize my time and reach out more often to those who are dear. Undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit will prod me. I plan to listen better. 

I have noticed that some religious communities offer the concept of karma, the force generated by one’s actions (according to Merriam-Webster), or something similar. The more credits you have, the closer you are to becoming fully enlightened or wealthy, depending on the faith tradition. While we often naturally reap what we sow, there’s no naughty or nice spreadsheet for those in Christ. He offers freedom from trying to score position or stuff through repentance of sin and delight in His presence. Repenting and delighting more. This, too, seems optimal.

My word for 2025 is optimizing: Optimize how I handle sickness, vacationing, teaching, hospitality, and faith. “Oh, Lord, please help.” I know He will.

Marianne Wood works as an editorial assistant and researcher for Bill Wright