December was an emotional rollercoaster. Yet, it also stands for a period of immense growth, a time of firsts, and a return to wonderful things I had forsaken for a while.
So. To my dear friends and possibly family (and maybe even the very much welcomed strangers), Happy New Year! I wish you a blessed beginning, middle, and end to your 2022. For myself and my peers, this year marks the end of the past 12-14 years of our lives when we will graduate from high school this summer, which is bittersweetly five to six months ahead. However, 2022 will also be the start “to the rest of our lives” as they so remarkably (and quite redundantly) declare in most commencement and valedictorian speeches. We will take the second first steps to education, pursue dreams, whether they be externally or internally motivated, and form new relationships within radically different environments.
In 2021, I had the great blessing of meeting and growing closer to so many wonderful people. I learned how to balance relationships with my personal priorities. I provided advice and received even kinder words back. I developed a friendship with someone that made me feel so completely at ease and yet, that pushed me to do something fully out of my normal comfort zone.
I am so grateful to God for the personal growth I’ve had over the past few weeks. In such a short time, I defined for myself what it means to be vulnerable.
Moreover, in the past two to three days, I’ve grown closer to reading His word as I’ve begun to more intently study each verse. I thank God for giving me the strength to start and to press onwards. And yesterday, I came across a verse that completely answered all my prayers and removed any doubt I had around my faith. It strengthened me so greatly: “who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
I Peter 1:5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.1.5.NKJV
I know this page will not fit everyone, but if even just one ironically well-organized stream of consciousness encourages you, for that I am grateful. Thank you for reading and for your wonderful friendship. Again, happy new year!
As Written by Lois 