Dear 2022

Dear 2022,

You sure did teach me a heck of a lot.

I think you taught me more than in any years past.

You taught me what it feels like to be abundantly healthy. More healthy than I have ever been. And you reminded me of how good that can make a girl feel.

You taught me that I love working out at crazy early times in the morning.

You taught me that I love the morning. The stillness and the quiet of it.

You taught me that making some good ol’ black coffee, sitting and resting with Jesus under my blanket and the twinkle lights in my college apartment is the best way to start the day.

You taught me the extent of my personality. That it is actually more bubbly and joy filled than I had ever realized. Still quiet and peaceful, but so abundantly filled with the joy from the Father and in awe for the world. And I am so thankful for that.

You taught me to be more self-sufficient.

You taught me to speak up.

You taught me to engage in conflict when needed, and that if you are patient and go in with a listening ear, it’s not as bad as the enemy makes it seem. Ultimately, it’s about meeting a common ground and growing from there.

You taught me what it is like to be wide awake to my deepest dreams and desires, and that being asleep to them is ultimately me not living in the fullness of the life that Jesus is allowing me to live.

You taught me that I have a love for journaling. And that it’s actually a great tool when I tend to over-share absolutely everything to everybody.

You taught me what love is. The sweetness and fullness of it.

You taught me just how holy relationships are.

You taught me what wrestling with the future looks like. How it can be painful and sad.

But through this, you taught me how to discern the holy spirit’s voice.

You taught me that being in the will of God is the ultimate and best place to be.

You taught me what immense heartbreak feels like. And that the seemingly never-ending pain would get easier and go away with resting in Jesus, my family, and closest friends.

And through that, Jesus reminded me that all of my comfort and satisfaction comes through him alone.

You taught me that when the Lord takes away, he also provides in unforeseen, yet abundantly beautiful ways.

You taught me that making tic-tok’s for my job is actually so much fun.

You taught me that cat’s are not as bad as I had made them out to be. Especially when their love language is also physical touch.

You taught me that prayer is my backbone. That all that I do should flow from prayer and that it really is a connection with the One who made the whole universe.

But most importantly, 2022, you taught me what confidence feels and looks like. That I am more joyful and happy and content. That I am fully awake to the people and situations in my life. And that I hold an insane responsibility as the daughter of the King.

And in this, 2022, you taught me that closeness should be the desire of my heart. That closeness with the Father rivals none.

So with that said, 2023, I am excited to meet you and all that you have got.

2023, I want you to be a year of closeness. With friends. With family. With strangers. With places. And most importantly, with the Father.