The Difference a Year Makes

Today I was sitting at lunch with some really great folks, when someone suggested that we "think about where we were a year ago." A year ago I was on the eve of quite possibly the most difficult time of my life. And as I think about the trek of the past twelve months, I am overwhelmed at how much I have changed and at who the Lord has made me.
I have always thought of myself as passive, one who takes life as it is and doesn't fight back. I never stand up for myself. But over the past year I have learned the importance of asserting myself, my thoughts and ideas. I have seen the need to fight when appropriate. I am proud of the way that I have contended with negative circumstances and fought my way back safety. This feat can only be attributed to God's plan in maturing me and my faith.
This voyage has not been easy. It has been and continues to be full of emotion and choices that I would rather not deal with and don't feel prepared to deal with. But the more I have shared this concern, the more I have found that others feel the exact same way. I am beginning to believe that this may be the way that difficult decisions are made-because they have to be.
God has taught me this year about who has made me to be. I have been in so many different forms since last January-delighted, content, and growing to hurt, disappointed, tired, fearful, alone, and shut down. I have been so many different things. They have all stretched me and I seem to have come out on the other side, not unscathed but alright.
Although 2007 was difficult, there have been so many joys. I have developed deep relationships with people, explored the world a little, found healing in God given friends, rested and learned to laugh at life again. I found out that I like sushi and I am a champion long distance driver. Discovered that used bookstores soothe my soul. I listened to good music. One can't complain about these things.
Maybe my year was pretty typical-ups, downs and everything in between. I'm not sure I could ask for anything else. Now as I reflect, I see that I made an active decision to make the most of every opportunity and that brings peace.

Life Lessons

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of going to a middle school girl's basketball game. Maybe pleasure isn't the correct word, because I left feeling quite a bit of anxiety over the parent's "cheering" and the awkwardness that surrounding the whole event, but I found that life is a lot like the game that I watched. You see these sweet girls were really awkward. Their skill was very basic (excluding one of the players). Life is much the same. I feel like 98% of the time I am just running around awkwardly trying to act as though I know what I am doing and then there is that one person who far too advanced for the game I am playing. And even when I do manage to make a shot, it was purely an act of luck. But through all of the uncomfortableness there was a beauty. These sweet girls just trying to figure it all out. The teamwork and comradery that comes from a journey. The joy of working hard and finally getting something right. The humor in the process of trying to get something right. Focusing on the task in front of you and rising above the awful comments being yelled down at you. These are the things that these girls were sharing in and the things that you and I share in everyday.