Remembering 2013

As the year 2013 comes to a close, I find myself thinking back about everything that the year held for me and my family.

So much has changed in such a little time . . .

This year, my little sister got married and, in turn, I gained another brother. It took some getting used to the thought of my baby sister getting married . . . I struggled with the idea a bit. After all, she was my baby sister . . . no one was good enough for her. This event took place late September. But you know, this whole thing has grown on me. I feel blessed to now have a brother-in-law . . . one who I know will take care of my little sister. He has shown that of himself already. And I can clearly see he loves her, which is what I have always hoped for my sister and friend.

The week after the wedding, my family made a move that I had dreaded for so long. We had to leave the home where I grew up. We had lived there for a little over 17 years. But you know, it really is true when they say "home is where the heart is". It doesn't matter where we reside. All that matters is who we are with . . . and in my case . . . I'm with my close, loving family. Thats all I care about now.

Our newest change, is the birth of my first niece. Born to my eldest brother and his wife on December 22. She is a little bundle of joy. Our little miracle. And she's perfect, might I add! She just made it home  to be with us yesterday morning. 

As I look back on this whole year, I have only one regret. One thing that I wish I could go back and change. I wasted too much of this year being angry and bitter and extremely depressed. I was realizing this fact earlier this morning. 

Closer towards the end of 2012, I experienced something that really took a lot out of me. Something that tore my heart into a BILLION pieces, and instead of turning to God for comfort and strength, I became angry and bitter at HIM. I was so angry that He allowed this to happen to me. I was shattered, and I turned away from the only one who could make me whole again. I just didn't understand why things had to happen the way they did. Why I had to suffer so much pain and emptiness. But the truth of it all is, I am the one who let this situation effect me in the way it did. And I regret that I did not place my trust in God, knowing that HE has my best in mind . . . but instead was angry with Him for not doing what I thought was best. (What do I know, I'm not God!) And I know that when I try to take things in my own hands . . . I mess things up bad!

I'm ready to put this all behind me. I'm ready to make things right with my Saviour and put my trust back in Him. I'm ready to move forward, taking this coming year and making it worthwhile. Something that can honor our Lord. My main goal this coming year is to show others Christ's love in ALL that I do.