I had big expectations for this year. I think everyone did. "2020", clear vision, sight... there was so much packed into four numbers. Instead, this has been one of the hardest years of my life so far. Still, I've gotten to see blessings and I've learned some things as a result of the events that were 2020. I've shared this before but while I lost a lot of experiences this year, I also gained precious ones. I saw God give and I saw Him take away. I have learned to cherish people and the time I have with them. I have learned to sit in and appreciate the little moments. I've learned (yet again) to live in the moment and live for the day I have. I couldn't jump ahead because "ahead" was obscured and unknown.
The events of this year mainly affected me by bringing division into close friendships and shutting down my communities. It has been hard, really hard, but it has driven me closer to God. There have been tears but there has also been unexpected joy. We've all struggled this year with a lot of emotions. Finding the positives can be a challenge. As much as I wish I could learn things and grow in my faith without trials, as much as I wish these things hadn't happened, I can never regret the lessons learned and the growth. I am so incredibly thankful for them. I have seen God work in amazing ways and I know He is doing even more than that! My mind is whirling from all the things that have happened and it can be hard to hold all the pieces to try and see the big picture. I am thankful that God can hold all the threads, knows exactly what is going on, and is bigger than the big picture. While there has been a lot of blinding going on this year there have also been a lot of things brought to light. Things have been exposed that were hidden. God promises us that He will do that and I saw it in a big way this year. I rejoice at evils brought to light and God working to defeat evil. But that exposure has not come without consequences. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 I was focusing on being "whole and complete" in Christ this year. It definitely didn't look like I'd imagined and I wasn't even sure I'd made any progress because I couldn't see what was happening apart from what I'd expected to see, but I do think I grew in those areas. Trust is what I'm clinging to moving forward. My hope is now and not yet and I acutely feel the tension at times, do you? The end of this year doesn't bring the hope of a fresh start that normally comes when faced with a new year and yet there is a glimmer. In what ways do you have hope going into the new year?
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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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