Lessons from 2017

Ah, how do I even write this post?  I learned so many lessons in 2017; lessons I did not expect to learn, but lessons that God knew I needed.  Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isn’t that so true?  I am thankful that we can trust the Lord with the assurance that His plans are the best.

I learned a lot this year in the department of productivity.  I think that oftentimes we could all be considered professional time wasters.  It is part of the sin nature we were born with.  Sometime in the mid-year, I came to the realization that I was wasting so much valuable time.  I got fed up with that, and became determined to change it.  Along my pursuit, I discovered several key things that really helped me.  You can read them in my post here.

Another lesson God taught me was of trust and finding comfort in His Word.  Late last year during my New Year’s Blog Week 2016, in fact, I had an oral surgery.  I was pretty calm about it till the night before, and that is when I started panicking.  The recovery was quick, however, and there were several aspects of the process that weren’t as bad as I had thought they would be, although I was still very thankful when it was over with.  I thought that would be my last surgery for quite a while, but I was wrong. 

August rolled around and I was told I’d have to have another surgery ASAP to remove a naughty molar and 3 wisdom teeth.  I was NOT happy.  That same week, I was informed that my volleyball team from 2016 had no room for me in the upcoming season.  I was distraught.  After 5 consecutive days of crying and moping about it, I chose to give it all to God and trust Him.  I turned to His Word for comfort; something I think we TALK about a lot but actually DO way too little of.  Through tears, I memorized Psalm 46.  It was a huge comfort, and really changed my attitude.  I got through the weekend and through the surgery and painfully recover without any more tears.  God made a way for me to play volleyball for another team.  Although sometimes I still don’t see how God meant it all for good, I know He did because He promises that He would in Scripture.

The first few months of our Bible quiz season this year were very difficult for me, and one particular month was particularly rough.  I was given errors for questions I answered correctly.  I was furious, disappointed, and my heart hurt because I knew that I had not errored, and if they had accepted my answers, I would possibly have received a special reward the following month.  This is an award I have been striving after since my first quiz season back in 2013.  I couldn’t believe I had gotten so close, and then I was considered wrong for an answer that should have been accepted.  I was so mad, but I had to let go of it.  I had to move on.  It was tough, and I was hurt, but even in that hurt I had to “let go and let God” handle it.

Those are just 3 of the things God taught me this year.  I could continue on and on, but I am excited to hear from you now!  Comment below and let me know what God taught YOU this past year. <3