As I look back over the past year I am reminded of how much it revolved around PAIN and HEARTACHE. The majority of the year was endured with constant physical pain, which was accompanied by emotional and spiritual BATTLES. Satan certainly knows how to kick us when we're down. My heart breaks when I review my relationships and how many of them have changed. I've lost a few of my closest friends due to unfortunate circumstances, I'm not sure if they will ever be the same. And there are some that have CHANGED because of geography or just time; that change is hard for me.
But the year wasn't all bad, although it was hard I found some HOPE & JOY in the midst of the difficulties! Some of my happy moments: SPRING time in Chicago, being a COUNSELOR at camp, celebrating with friends and family who got MARRIED, and my HEALING from surgery. There are also personal victories that I am glad to remember. I spoke at VESPERS at camp. It was a year of learning how to love FRIENDS in new ways. Jesus was teaching me more about what it means to SURRENDER and TRUST him. And I began to SEEK the QUIET times with Jesus.
Something I wish I'd done differently is walk more confidently in who I am in Christ and acting more boldly in his will. I wish I didn't get caught up on the opinions of others and would have let him speak through me more often.
Here are a few SCRIPTURE references that I found comfort in over the year:
Lamentations 3:21-26, 31-33
Psalm 31:19
Psalm 73:26
2 Corinthians 12 (vs 9)
Philippians 4:4-7
I get to start this 27th year of my life focusing on Christ and what he has done for me. I live in the GRACE that he has given me. I will seek to TRUST him in all circumstances.
