Celebrating a new year, I wanted to reflect on all that I’ve learned. Since we’re also celebrating a new decade, I wanted to reflect on the things I’ve learned over the past ten years as well. I’ve decided on one word for each year that represents either the events of that year, lessons I’ve learned, or areas I’ve grown.
2010 – change
I had just recently made the transition from homeschool to public high school. Our family split up and we moved. I learned that change is inevitable, whether good or bad, but that God is still sovereign no matter what.
2011 – beginnings
I graduated high school, started my medical career, moved out on my own, became an ‘adult’. I’ve learned that beginnings are important, the paths you choose are important, and to make sure to always try to start right.
2012 – mistakes
Due to events leading up to this year, I kinda felt my lowest. Lowest when it came to my happiness, my worth, my hopes for a future, my success. I made a lot of bad choices to try to cope with the hurt, when I’ve learned since then that God is THE ONLY ONE who satisfies.
2013 – blur
This year was kind of a blur, partly because of more mistakes, but mostly because I spent most of the summer in and out of the hospital. I learned that I have food allergies haha.
2014 – travel
This was my biggest year of travel, so far. Me and Pops toured Ireland, and I took a cruise to the Bahamas. Funny enough, both trips ended with a really bad sunburn. I learned that there’s more to this earth than my hometown and God’s creation is insanely beautiful!
2015 – heartbreak
This year was rough for me. I went through a breakup, we found out my dad had a mass on his brain, and I was desperately wanting to connect with God again, but I learned that He’s always there, He never leaves.
2016 – family
This was an extremely hard year. Really traumatic things happened in my family, my dad had surgery and came through great, another breakup, I harbored a lot of hate in my heart, my past was starting to catch up with me. I learned that family, blood and even those you claim to be, are important. Stick with them and cherish them.
2017 – community
This was the year I found my home church. A new concept of healthy godly community was introduced and God gifted me with something I had been hungry for for a long time – people who loved Him, loved me, and wanted to help me grow.
2018 – relationships
Relationships are hard, whether with boys or with friends, both of which I lost in this year. These relationships should’ve been God honoring, but they weren’t, which is why God took them away. That was a hard lesson to learn, but I am glad I went through this because He began to work in me in a new way. I also went through a season of anxiety and depression, started seeing my counselor and dealing with my past.
2019 – celebration
This year has been a big year of celebrating my family becoming whole again, new jobs, many family members’ accomplishments, no more anxiety and depression, new friends, ways I’ve gotten to serve my church, and new opportunities to serve God on my upcoming World Race journey.
Overall, I’ve learned that God loves me more than I could imagine. He’s kind in His blessings and provision. He alone can satisfy every longing. My past doesn’t define me. My worth isn’t based on anything I can do to earn it. And God has big plans for me!
So here’s to 2020 and all the fun it’s gonna bring! ??
