2010

My friend Amy wrote this earlier today, and I thought it'd be a good way to start this post.

"An optimist stays up 'til midnight on New Year's Eve to see the new year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. Personally, I was glad to see that both occured successfully."

I think that pretty much sums up what I thought yesterday, too: both relief at the end of last year, and excitement at the new year. Last year was quite the year, and I was ready to move on. It was a rather rough year, with my family having to deal with some trying circumstances. I think we dealt with more deaths in 2009 than we have any other year. We battled a major flood, and had to learn to overcome the stress and anxiety that caused. And I had to work through more changes and transitions in the span of about four or five months than I ever have in my life. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it was hard. But then again, I look at what God has done and brought forth through it all, and I must say it was also a great year. In the last few years God has totally thrown open the doors for campus to receive the hope of Jesus Christ, and seeing the fruit of my parents' labors has been amazing. When we first started hearing of the amazing ways God has been using Chi Alpha to transform students' lives, and how it's growing, and how the kids are so totally on fire for their Savior, God told us "You were a part of that. All the years you spent praying over the campus, pouring into students' lives, being My Light; this is the fruit of your labor. The walls are being torn down, and you had a hand in demolishing that stronghold." And now that I'm so deeply involved with Chi Alpha, and involved on campus, I can see it in an even greater light, and it's overwhelming to see God move in this way. It's overwhelming to consider that He would use us to help make it happen.

And of course I could go on and on and on about the last three or so months, and how they've pretty much been the greatest months of my life. I've grown more in the last two and a half months than I had in the last ten years. And I've been stretched more than I think I ever have. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

So, looking back on the year 2009, yes it was hard. But it was amazing. And for all the pain and confusion that we may have battled, I wouldn't trade it for anything, because I know that God has and will continue to use it to further His kingdom, and to draw us closer to Him. And that's all that matters.

So now the question is: What will we do with 2010? Will we continue to hold on to the pain and bitterness of the past, or will we hang on to Jesus with all that we are and trust Him to guide us into victory in the coming year? I don't know about you, but I am so excited for this year I can hardly stand it. I'm SO excited to get back on campus and continue to pour into people's lives, and see God move in mighty ways. I can't wait to see how He's going to stretch me and use me. Yes, I know there will be trials to overcome, but that's just it: we "overcome by the Blood of the Lamb." I'll leave you with one final thought. It's something I've been realizing the last couple of months, and while it can be hard, it is--at least in my life--so true.

When you ask God to teach you and stretch you: 1) He will always do it in ways you don't expect; and 2) He will often do it in ways you don't necessarily want.
But it's so worth it.