My "word" for 2023 was "REDEEM & RENEW". You can read all about why I chose it and what I intended to be thinking about with that phrase but, per usual, I ended up being very surprised by what actually happened. When I chose "REDEEM", I was thinking of the recent losses in my life. But at the end of the year, I realized that 2023 was the best year I had experienced in several years, and it was 0 years after one of the hardest experiences that I've ever lived through. I feel like the overwhelming blessing of 2023 is a redemption of the brokenness of 2013. In 2013, I felt like the rug had been ripped out from under my feet and in 2023 I felt like I started to live again. (Just to be clear, I was not still struggling from the events of 2013.)
Speaking of living again, that was the idea behind "RENEW". I wanted to begin moving forward from the recent losses and start healing. I was ready to begin working to trust and dream again. The Lord blessed me with an amazing community that I never even thought to ask for. Through that group I have made new friends, started opening up and trusting again, began learning to share my heart and thoughts, and actually got excited about things! It's hard to put into words without basically writing a book, but I've grown and healed a lot this year, even as the healing has brought up a whole host of things that I need to address. I don't think these things happened because of my words, but I think I noticed them because of the words. I was looking for redemption and renewal and therefore I saw it. 2023 was the first year I had verses to go with my words. I am a horrible Scripture memorizer but I got three of four! The chapter of Psalm 103 I do not have completely memorized and that is just because I did not make it a priority. However, I do have a good grasp on the concept of that chapter and I'm glad I had verses. I will be doing that again. If you did a word of the year for 2023, I would love to hear how that worked out for you!
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Hi! I'm Sarah!
I am a natural light portrait photographer. I've been taking photos since 2014 and would eat a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe for lunch everyday if I could. Thank you so much for stopping by. I blog about sessions, things I'm learning, stuff in my life, and information for YOU, my client. If you like what you see around the site, I'd love to work with you! I'd also love to connect with you on Instagram. I'm @sarah_jayne_photo :) Archives
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