Truth: The year started off with a very heartbreaking event that hurt a lot people. I was amazed that people would choose to believe a lie even when faced with the black and white evidence of the truth. Even though the truth of that situation is still unknown, I know that the lies that were told will be brought to light one day.
"A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape." Proverbs 19:5
Prayer: I was so thankful to begin my prayer partnership with Lisa. We get together, share our hearts, and pray when our schedules allows or one of us really needs it. I've been so blessed by her heart for the Lord and knows that she always covers me and family in prayer. God prompted me to pray over a coworker at work this past year. I was so blessed to be able to do that for her. I love her so much and have been so amazed to see how God has worked in every aspect of her life this year!
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20
Dependence: Through some losses I faced this year, I have really learned to rely on God. He is the ONE constant in my life that always has and always will be there for me.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Change: I have faced lots of change this year. Some were easy and welcomed: relationships reconciled, new friendships made, and new leadership opportunities. Some were excruciating. I felt like I wouldn't survive them and went through them kicking and screaming inside and out: difficult people, losses as friends moved jobs or out of state. I know God had a purpose for those changes in my life...all of those changes are being used to bring more glory to Himself and mold me into being more like Him.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Joy: Many things filled my heart with joy this year some big: Logan graduating preschool, Logan receiving the Mr. Sweetness award at preschool, births of Angie's little Katie Bug, Jean's little Kaison, Krista's little Miles, and Rikki's little Hannah. Some joys originated from small things: Logan loving learning and sharing his AWANAs Scriptures, Lucas and Logan's love for each other and their friendship, having my boys hug and kiss me on their own and tell me they love me, hearing Lucas say Mommy rocks! with such joy and excitement, having a job that allows me so much time off to spend with my boys, watching the light bulb turn on when one of my students gets a concept they've struggled with, and hosting high school boys for DNow weekend.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3
Sadness: I've loss several friends to jobs across town, down the street, or out of state. I've shed many tears over these friendships...
"Weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5b
Thankfulness: ...but I'm very thankful that God brought each one of those people into my life to teach me something about Himself and point me to Him.
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy," Philippians 1:3-4
Grace: I've really learned a lot about God's grace through the lack of grace I've been shown in a couple of situation this year. Even though people may choose NOT to show grace, God always shows grace and it's more than sufficient to cover my weaknesses. Besides my weaknesses provide with me opportunities to glorify God.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Perseverance: I've wrestled with some personal issues this past year. I've believed lies and felt like giving up and have been amazed at the ways and things God has used to get my attention to remind me that my purpose is to follow Him.
"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13b-14
Love: I've known several people who lost babies this year either through miscarriages, during delivery, or shortly after delivery. Both of my boys had traumatic births, where losing them was a very real possibility. Being a parent in general has opened my eyes to the awesomeness that is God's love, but watching these sweet families go through this has really blown my mind about the depth and power of God's love. He loved us when we didn't love Him and He CHOOSE to SACRIFICE His SON for us knowing we would wander away from Him or reject Him completely and yet His love for us nailed His perfect sinless Son to a cross to redeem us to Himself.
"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10
Hope: This has been a very difficult year for me but, I have hope as I remember God's faithfulness to me and my family in the past and cling to the promises He has made me.
"This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!" Lamentations 3:21-24
