As I log on to facebook and see every one's "Look how awesome my year was" picture reals I can't help but cringe. I don't care to create a recap of my year. I know what those pictures and statuses say. I lost my Dad. Did I know going in to 2014 that I would quickly find myself sitting in an ICU room saying good bye? No. No one starts the year off thinking of the terrible horrible things that may happen. Man created the calendar system giving us a false sense of a restart every 12 months and for that we are thankful. However, the truth is, our lives on January 1st are no different from December 31st. What ever you are experiencing will still be there. I know some live for resolutions and setting goals. If you are one of those goal minded go-getter look at my vision board folks, awesome. If you are like me and have no clue what God has planned for the next year,but are buckled up and ready for the ride, awesome. Life is crazy kids.
Would I say last year was the worst year of my life. No. Was it a hard one? Yes. Do I struggle to recall a good portion of my year? Yes. But God was there. He told me so in the weeks leading up to my Dad passing. He told me to stick with him when times got rough. To not focus on things and imagine how they will go. He assured me that his timing was intended for me. That I would experience things when he wanted me too and to stop experiencing them by preemptively playing them out in my head. I learned to be present in the moments I was experiencing. While some days it was more of a coping strategy than a "look how blissful life is". I learned over time to experience the moments.
Two good friends brought adorable babies into the world, I got to be by my best friend's side as she got married. I coached a crazy group of 13 year old girls who were full of personality and made me laugh when I needed it. I went on a long over do family vacation. I got to see my brother graduate and start college. I went on trips with friends and jammed at concerts. I brought home a pretty cool cat named Stitch. I laughed as the state of Georgia came to a screeching halt for snow. I saw a four year old kick leukemia's butt. It was a good year.
As I say good bye to 2014 I don't look back and think this was the worst year of my life. It was hard, but it was good. I don't care to create a recap montage of my year because I don't want to stay stuck in this year. I want to move forward. What ever journey you are on, keep moving. Don't get off the train and unpack. You are going to have hard times. You are going to lose loved ones. Babies will be born, People will get married. Adventures will unfold. Just know they aren't on your timeline. You have to have bad and you have to have good. They give life color and meaning. With out them life would be so very dull.
So bring it on 2015. I'm packed and ready for you.
"All praise to God, the Father our our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
