When I think of this past year, one word comes to mind—brutal. We’ve experienced one valley after another and to be quite honest, there’s not much about 2018 that I’m going to miss. Part of me wants to just forget this past year and all the things we’ve had to endure. I’m ready to fully embrace forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what lies ahead.
I asked Shelby if he would change any of the things that happened this past year and his response was, “No, they have made me into the person that I am today.”
And as much as I hate to admit when I’m wrong; he’s right. I am the person I am today because of all the things that I’ve been through. As much as I look forward to what lies ahead, I can’t just forget about the things that have happened in the past.
These dark days have been some of the richest in my walk with the Lord. Every hardship has been met with an abundance of His grace. Every fear has been stilled with with His gentle tenderness. Every insurmountable obstacle has been defeated with His unceasing faithfulness.
I would never have experienced such a sweetness in my life had it not been for the bitter hurt that this past year has brought. It seems like the darker the night, the brighter His light has shone.
So while I’m looking forward to the new year, I’m also grateful for what this year has taught me. 2018 came at me pretty strong on all sides, but I’m still standing…barely. But I’m not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned, and not destroyed.
All in all, I’d consider that a win!