Two things prevent us from happiness; living in the past and observing others.

 2016… I had to let go of some hurt to hold on to hope. We all go through things that mold us to the very being that God created us to be. We’re tested. Things happen. Things go wrong. Things go right. Things happen the way we plan and then there are things that utterly shake us to our core and you’re left breathless, broken, beaten and bruised. Moreso for me emotionally clearly not physically. But, my my how being emotionally unstable/torn can impact you physically. I realized in the midst of uncertainty God was there. I don’t have the rhyme or reason for the things that be nor for the things that took place in 2016, but God has a purpose for all things. There’s purpose in joy and triumph. And Still. There’s purpose in pain and sorrow. Every heartache throughout my life has turned into beauty instead of ashes (Isaiah 61:3) and some of those hurts are still being beautified. Every burden only made me stronger. Along with every heartache and every joy. 2016 may have tried to throw me down and defeat me, but even then at rock bottom I was just getting started. I didn’t realize it at the time, but God was at work in my life and in my surroundings. Looking back there were plenty of times I wanted to give up, but it was seriously by the Grace of God I’m still fighting. I’m still here being me with all my imperfections wrapped into a 5’2 body in which I’m learning to be okay with that. 

2017… Every battle that is sure to come, I will be brave. No matter what lies ahead, God will make a way. I plan to live on these four words, “Thy Will Be Done” every single day. Honestly, at the end of the day I don’t want what I think should be, I want His Will. In the midst of chaos, in the midst of joy, in the midst of heartbreak, whatever 2017 brings I want God’s Will to be done. I’m clinging to a Father that knows what’s best for me. THAT I am sure of. I will pray diligently for freedom in all areas. With that said, I just want to be free. Free of comparison. (I think one, possibly girls in particular can relate to this one). Comparison is the ultimate joy stealer. If you’ve never been in the octagon fighting with comparison then kudos to you. For real though. I want to be the product of building other women up. NOT analyzing their pictures on social media. We are all uniquely, fearfully and wonderfully made. I want to be free of insecurities. Free of anxiety. Free of depression. Free from anything attempting to steal my joy, my hope, and my peace. I have full intentions of becoming so aware of those things or people that I will delete anything that attempts to do so. 

2017… I don’t know what you hold, but I know who holds it, and I’m trusting in that alone. That’s enough for me. I’m going to pray more. Get in The Word more. Journal more. Blog more. I’m going to trust God more. I’m going to relinquish control of my life to the one who created it. I’m going to in all areas of my life make me a better me through Him. I think my biggest challenge is that I’m going to LOVE what I see in the mirror. I’m going to love the girl that I see looking back at me. The Lord has still proven himself faithful, constant, and merciful. I’m forever grateful for all the lessons learned and for grace. Grace upon grace. A new year, means God’s not finished with me yet.