New Beginnings

Back in November a group of my friends went out to dinner to celebrate a birthday. Halfway through the meal we began reminiscing about the past year. Well, I guess I should say "reminiscing." You see, many of them couldn't remember what they had done 3 months before not to mention remembering what had happened in the last year. My heart sank. Have you ever had a birthday like that? I have! Too often I enter a new year or pass a birthday saying, "check, made it through another year," unable to reflect on progress made, specific joys and struggles the previous year held, and lessons learned. 

Over the weekend, I turned 23 and as I journaled and remembered back on the past year I felt so grateful. 2013 was a year of being intentional and not letting another year get mixed in with all the others. Being intentional about creating healthy boundaries with my time and cultivating rest. Being intentional about the activities that filled my weeks and creating community with the young adults at church. Being intentional about putting my phone away so I could focus on people. Being intentional about cultivating gratitude and learning from my mistakes. Being intentional about taking time to reflect each month in preparation for the next; asking myself "What did work?" and "What needs to change?" The year wasn't perfect by any means and each of those steps seemed small at first but a year later I can say they've more than paid off! 

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me. 

I can’t remember a trial or a pain 
He did not recycle to bring me gain 
I can’t remember one single regret 
In serving God only, and trusting His hand 
All I have need of, His hand will provide 

He’s always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song 

The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long 

God has been faithful, He will be again 

His loving compassion, it knows no end 

All I have need of, His hand will provide 

He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful 

He’s always been faithful to me.

"He's Always Been Faithful" Sara Groves

As I type out this post I can't help but think of a 25 year old friend who passed away back in December because of cancer. I didn't know her personally but witnessing her story from afar I know she lived intentionally and purposefully, not taking a single day for granted. As a result she changed the lives of those around her while on earth and continues to inspire and point people to Christ through her death. She lived intentionally for the one thing that matters most in life, Christ! A year from now I pray the same will be true for me. A year focused on the one thing that matters most and not simply, "another year that slipped through my fingers."