The last sunrise, the last sunset of 2019. This marks the end of a year, a decade, a season. We turn our heads back to reflect. We see these dusky blues and fiery oranges, hovering there on the horizon.
This is the decade I started a non-profit in Haiti with my husband Ericlee, said yes to directing a fair trade jewelry company, experienced joy teaching at the university, ran 3 full marathons and many more half marathons, worked dozens of hours to finish my master’s thesis while raising three babies, and wrote my first non-fiction book.
This is also the decade I journeyed with my husband through cancer, and then buried him too soon.
This is the decade I navigated the path of profound grief with my three young daughters.
I’ve lost much in this decade – a life I imagined, a husband, dreams, friends, family members, churches, and neighborhoods I called home.
There was also much to gain – wisdom, resilience, courage, wonder, grit, and a deeper sense of my faith and myself.
In this decade, God proved faithful time again and again to show me His glory in the most unexpected ways. I stood at the altar and married my long-time friend Shawn. I said yes to loving, to opening my heart anew to the joy and pain of covenant relationship, and the adventure of this new life chapter in parenting.
Today I look back as the fiery-sun ball slips into the coin slot of the horizon. I see the colors becoming more brilliant and nuanced in the rear-view mirror.
Friend, sometimes we have to scrape the depths in order to reach new heights.
Here’s to less time striving, hustling, worrying, and comparing. Here’s to less time flapping our wings and more time bowing our knees and resting, waiting for that just-right wind to take me where God leads.
Today I spread my wings to the soaring ‘20s. Won’t you join me?
*Let’s stay more personally connected in the new year! Join my Glorygram group and receive my weekend word of encouragement and fun recommendations!
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