My 2012 Year
Looking back on this past year makes me feel
slightly unbalanced in my emotions, but perhaps some context is needed to
clearly explain why.
There have been those days when I couldn’t stop
smiling, laughing, dancing and enjoying every minute soaking in life as it
comes my way, but there have been those other days. Days where my heart has felt heavy, like it
is going to break or when the motivation to live my life to the fullest has become
a shadow of my previous days. On these
days I find it helpful to reflect on what God did to get me through the last
rocky day or situation. I choose to
activate my faith, and even when I feel like I don’t have any I join arms with those
around me. As a good friend of mine often
says to do, “Speak a better word” over my life and the lives of those around
me. God’s word often speaks of newness,
new beginnings and new life and this last year has been that in so many ways
and I know 2013 will be that and much more.
When it comes to looking back on this year I could
recall all the tough moments but instead I want to look at my highlights and the
times when God took what was meant for evil and turned it into something good. So here are a few highlights and the many things
I am thankful for;
-The birth of my beautiful niece Arianna (there is
quite the story there)
-My friend Alexis’s healing from cancer (I am grateful
for Gods healing hand over this 18 year old girl’s life and I know he is going
to use her to do great things for his kingdom.
She is a little fire ball to say the least)
-Getting my license, my own car and overcoming my
fears about driving
-Living in an awesome house with 2 of my best
friends and another one just downstairs
-Starting school and dreaming of how this is going
to play out in my future
-Learning to dream BIG and not hold back-it is me
that keeps me from where God has called me, nothing else
-Learning to really see people, not where they are
in their stories or even who they are, but see them as God sees them. I want to continue to love people more in
this next year and my heart is to help them grow in Christ
-Getting to work with youth, to speak into their
lives, watch them grow in Christ and encourage them through the different
seasons they walk through
-New FRIENDS! (and of course old friends) I love making
new friends and the one on one God moments I have had with so many people this
year has been breath taking
-My job, it pays really well and it has been a blessing
to me financially
-My family and friends, I love them all very much
-My health and the freedom I have as a Canadian
citizen
-My church and my local community
-Travelling to L.A and San Francisco to visit a
friend from bible school, and surprising another friend with the trip to go
there
There are so many highlights and it is hard to
list them all at once but those are some of them. To sum up my year I would say it consisted
of; random adventures, trips, visits, late night snacks and stays with friends,
walks, art, writing, poems, painting/ drawing, good food, laughing, dancing,
crying tears of joy and sorrow, praying BOLD and seemingly impossible prayers, walking
through the fire, learning to dance in the rain and be content in whatever
season God has me in, divine appointments, prophetic moments and powerful times
of worship, relationships with people and a deeper revelation of God’s love as
well as a deepening of my relationship with him, the breaking of strongholds in
my life and the lives of those around me, the piercing of my heart for the
plans and purposes of God, receiving mercy and extending grace to others,
serving with what is in my pocket, looking at the future but not missing out on
my present, not letting my past define me, running and not growing weary,
letting go and trusting God, being patient, being impatient, forgiving and
being forgiven, rebuilding relationship with my family, making room- what is inconvenient
for me but required to see the holiness of God in my life, being generous and
kind, wanting to do a lot but being reminded I am not a human doing but a human
being, trips to Vancouver, Edmonton, Vancouver Island and many other places, working
hard, playing, and lastly learning to be who God has designed and called me to
be; passionate and fully alive, full of wonder and adventure. That is my attempt to sum up my 2012 year and
yes it is done very randomly but that’s ok with me.
For this next year there is only one thing I am
sure of, that it will be great because God is in it. Other than that I am not entirely sure where
he will led me. There are many things I
want to do and desires that are on my heart but I will leave it up to my
heavenly father to fulfill them in the right time. I challenge you to go and not do more but to LOVE
MUCH BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH.
If I could only accomplish that and nothing else on my “to do” list I
know this next year would be blessed. I
leave you with a verse that has been on my heart today as I have been
reflecting about the past and what the future holds.
Proverbs 2:7-11 NIV
He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is
blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then
you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will
enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
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