Thank You, 2022

This year was surprisingly beautiful. And painful.

I wouldn’t change it. I’ve learned more about God, myself, love, and relationships. I’m clear about my work in the world. I’ve experienced things I’ve dreamed about for a long time and I’m here telling you about it.

That means I made it through the hard parts. And since you’re reading this – you did, too.

There were days I wondered if anything would ever be okay again. There were days that felt so perfect I wanted them to last forever.

I’m learning that I can hold both joy and sorrow at the same time. I can be joyful because of the healing and growth I’m experiencing, and sad about the loss of a relationship. I can rejoice with a friend who is enjoying treasured holiday traditions with her parents, and grieve the loss of mine. Didn’t Jesus do this as well? He celebrated and mourned. He wept and rejoiced.

I’m not going to write my usual recap of the year. I’ll just say there were many tears, an abundance of love, some hard and necessary lessons, and a few delightful surprises. I’m amazed at what God is doing and what He is showing me.

This year can best be summarized by the lyrics to one of the songs on my favorite playlist. It’s called I Won’t Break by Elyssa Smith.

Staggered steps and anxious breaths
Why is it hard to surrender?
Step by step, right foot then left
You see, anything is progress
Like a child stumbles on their feet
Finding out You don’t need perfection
Finding out You don’t need perfection

[Pre-Chorus]
Little steps and still small breaths are how You lead me
Mysteries revealed to me in patient seeking
Like the wind blowing through the trees
There’s no way to really know where I’m going
‘Cause to live by faith and not by sight
Is like wеaring a blindfold and running

Chorus]
I won’t break if I bend
Just let go and givе in
I won’t break if I bend
I won’t break if I bend
Just let go and give in to how You lead
I won’t break if I bend
It’s easy when You’re leading
I won’t break if I bend Just let go and give in to how You lead

The lyrics continue and she ends up leaning on God’s everlasting arms.

There’s no place I’d rather be in 2023.

‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”

Numbers 6: 24-26 NIV