new year!

 

I realize it’s been the new year for a week now, but I’ve felt as if the Lord has been telling me to look back and reflect on all of the things He has blessed me with and grown me in over this year. The Lord has been molding me and changing me like crazy, and it’s so easy to forget to look back and praise him for the transformation that He is doing in each of our lives. So, here are some ways that, only by His endless love and grace, I have grown in and been able to experience this year. 
 

I used to be a girl scared to share her story with other people, because I worried about what they would think of me. Now, I boldly declare my story, because it’s not mine anyway. It is the Lord’s beautiful story of redemption that He has graciously given me to share with others. 

 

I used to be dependent on my relationships with other people. Now, I am dependent only on Him.

 

I used to drag my feet to spend time with the Lord, because I always wanted to spend that time with the people around me. Now, the Lord has given me a hunger and thirst for His presence. I long to spend time with Him first, and I find my energy and strength in Him. 

 

I used to roam around aimlessly, wanting to find the Lord’s will and hear his voice amidst the noise of the world. Now, the Lord has given me the discipline to drown out the endless noise around me, in order to more clearly hear his voice. 

 

I used to believe the lie that I wasn’t good at anything. Now, I believe that the Lord has given me special abilities and gifts that I can use to bring glory to His name.

 

I used to feel like I was alone. Now, He has given me beautiful, beautiful community here. Community that fights for me and loves me unconditionally. He has also shown me how much of a rare beauty the community I have at home is, and how much of a blessing it will be when I return home at the end of the race.

 

I used to only have eyes for my selfish sphere of life around me. Now, the Lord has given me His kingdom mindset, with the ability to see potential and Jesus in the least of these.

 

I used to live a pseudonymous life. Now, I am walking in the identity that I was created to have.

 

The most beautiful thing about this list is that it’s not finished yet. The Lord has promised to continue to grow me and change me into His image more and more. Looking back and seeing where He has taken me so far gives me hope and excitement for the future. 

                                                       
 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion  at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6

 

Luckily, even when I fail and I mess up, my Jesus is faithful and patient with me. He’s not going to give up on me and my process, ever. #hallelujah A good work is never rushed, and that's something that our Daddy knows well.

 

So, with all that being said, I am freaking pumped for 2013. I can’t wait to see how the Lord continues to mold me and shape me. Next year, I'm excited look back and praise Jesus for all that He does over these next 12 months.