Looking Back On 2013

Philippians 3:13,14   Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  As I look back on 2013 I don't wish to relive this year! I know, that sounds negative :) But 2013 has probably been one of the toughest years I've lived.And its funny how I hear that coming from so many people.If I'd believe in bad luck, I say maybe it was the number 13...but since I don't I'll just believe it was a year that God gave me some extra loving :)  I take to heart Philippians 3:13,14. Remembering the lessons I learned but leaving behind the things that do not benefit me, and starting fresh, pressing toward the mark. It probably is also the year that I have been reminded the most about all the beautiful blessings I have in life but how, so often I tend to take them for granted! Friends and family.How easy to just assume that we have them for always, when actually...we never know how long. It's been a year of change.Lots of change. To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. – Henri Bergson It's also been a year of learning - hard life lessons. ~ A year that has brought me closer to God and at the same time stretched me till I really thought I couldn't stretch anymore! ~ A year of tears, lots of tears.And I thank God he cares enough, so much actually that he "bottles every tear!"  ~ Its also been a year of much laughter and happiness. ~ It's the year that marked 7 years with an incredibly handsome man.A quiet but stable man.A man whos desire is to serve his Lord.A man whom I have learned so much from.And I see how blessed I am.  ~ It's been a year where I saw so many young men, their life taken in an instant, leaving behind their wives and children. ~ A year that made me realize even more than before that every year I have with the man I love, is a blessing, never to be taken for granted! ~ It's been a year of learning who I really and what my priorities are. ~ A year of seeing myself ... through God's eyes.How ugly I sometimes am on the inside.But how God's forgiveness knows no end.And I'm slowly beginning to understand the fullness of God's Love.And how undeserving I am, and yet how endless God's mercy is. Seeing how I can be changed.But only through God, for His glory.Seeing how much my life, and the lives of those around me affect God's Kingdom.How valuable we can be, but yet how sometimes we choose destruction.  ~ A year that has taught me how everything I do, should have some kind of eternal value. ~ A year of learning that my true identity lies in Christ. Not in what I do or don't do, or have or don't have,or even who I please or don't please. My identity is in Christ alone. ~ A year of realizing that people...people are the most valuable in God's eyes.Not things...people.Something I always knew, but was reminded of in a fresh new way.A year of God teaching me about relationships. ~ A year of seeing how my fears and selfishness have kept me and sometimes still keep me from living life to it's fullest.And how easy it would be to quit trying.But remembering how faithful God is in helping us grow and go forward...one baby-step at a time. ~ A year of sifting through the plans God has for me. Waiting and wondering...but always knowing deep within that there's a special place for me to fill.A reason I am where I am. "our sense of worth is not a question of giftedness,talent,intelligence or beauty. Your sense of personal worth comes from knowing who you are as a child of God and your growth in character." I am happy to be a Child of the King!  So as I look forward to 2014, I want to leave all my mistakes and regret behind.Because I realize the more I remember my mistakes and regrets, the less I move forward. I never want to forget the faithfulness of God. And I want to always remember that with God anything is possible. Happy New Year to all my friends and family! May 2014 bring you much happiness and many blessings. Thank you especially to God for helping me through this year. Thank you to my husband for being there and showing me what unconditional love is. And thank you to my friends, especially those who have stuck with me through this year :)I am blessed!