At the beginning of every year people all over the world celebrate. They celebrate the ending of the previous year and celebrate all that is ahead of them in the new year. People set goals and make resolutions and hope the new year will be better than the last.
New Years is different for me. Four years ago my mom died unexpectedly on New Years. That’s another story for another time but naturally my view of the holiday changed and has had a different effect on me for the past four years. I usually struggle with feelings of sadness and confusion about what to feel. This year however, I wanted it to be different.
New Years 2014 was different to say the least. For starters, I celebrated it on a rooftop in Malaysia…with 40 other Americans who are crazy in love with Jesus. I was surrounded by people who love me, support me, encourage me, and who absolutely exude the joy of the Lord. And it felt good.
I decided that this year would be about celebrating. Celebrating the goodness of God and basking in His glory and presence, being overflowed with His perfect love. Celebrating my mom’s life, celebrating the memories I have, and celebrating all the beauty that is still in my life.
I know that this won’t always be easy. Sometimes joy is a choice, not a feeling. But this year I’m declaring joy over my life. Declaring that I will choose joy, even when I don’t want to, even when it is the most unnatural reaction to my circumstance, I will choose the joy that only God can give.
This year is about choices. It is the end of one chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one.
Here’s to 2014. Here’s to choosing God and His goodness. Here’s to choosing grace and love. Here’s to letting God be the One that satisfies. Here’s to trusting that God truly is good, all the time.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:11
“For you are our glory and joy.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:20
Make the choice with me to choose God and whatever He has planned for you. I promise you, it’s good.
– J
I’m still about $3,000 away from being fully funded. My final deadline is March 1st. If you feel led to donate to my race, you can support me by clicking on the ‘support me’ tab on the left side of this page! Thanks!!
