Seven Lessons I’ve Learned {so far} This Year

Seven Lessons I’ve Learned This Year

From January to March our lives were busy with preparing to travel to China. Finishing up adoption paperwork, packing, and home schooling. March to May is a little blurry. Cocooning. That’s pretty much it. March was the month of transition. A month of transformation. A month of shifting. A shift in our world, a shirt in our hearts. June through September brought us out of the “China fog” and into a summer of relaxing, fun, and an interesting beach trip.

As we enter the holiday season and prepare for 2016, I can’t help but think of my one little word.

Faithful

In January, I choose it so I could remind myself to be faithful to God and His Word. I felt a season of change would be coming, but I never knew how intense. Or how beautiful the change would be. Instead of my faithfulness, I have be reminded over and over again of HIS faithfulness. My story is His story anyway.

Seven Lessons I’ve Learned {so far} This Year

1. God is faithful. I’ve been reminded again. And again. And again how faithful He truly is. Faithful to forgive sins. Faithful to give me strength. Faithful to love me, sustain me, and stay with me. Through all we’ve been through this year, it is only because He has been faithful to stay with us we’ve survived. I will always need this lesson. And I’m happy my God will always continue to prove Himself faithful.
2. Writing takes work. I love to write. After attending the She Speaks conference back in July, I’ve discovered my passion for writing. Through the process of this blog and attending the conference, God has placed in me a desire to share His Word with others. He has begun to work in my heart. I have a lot to learn. But I’m learning how to be a better writer! I’m happy to be a part of Compel and other great online support groups for writers. I’ve learned it is ok to have dreams! And dreams take work. A good kind of work.
3. Adoption is hard. It seems simple and not very profound. But I’ve found this side of adoption to be a lot harder than the paperwork part. Don’t get me wrong, the waiting is so very painful. The adoption wait is like nothing else. Adoption parenting is a brand-new ballgame for our family. We’ve been reminded of the enemy, especially after returning home with our child. Just because our daughter is home doesn’t mean the enemy will stop trying to undo the marvelous thing God has accomplished in adoption. Adoption is hard, but our God is faithful even in the hard times.
4. Strength comes. Being a mother of four little ones is tiring, but strength comes. Sometimes I wake up and think: “I can’t do this.” But I do it. Everyday.  I see my children. They are not just surviving, but thriving. Sometimes people ask me, “How do you do it?” And I usually respond: “I don’t know!” Now, it seems my heart wants to shout to everyone who will listen: “God strengthens me!” I know He gives me all these tiny graces throughout my day. Graces like coffee. And chocolate. And a sweet hug from one of my children. A long nap time. An early bedtime. The husband gets off early. All little graces provide me with just what I needed for that day.
5. Rest is a choice. In the month of September, I decided to take some time to rest and just breathe. I found, despite a busy schedule, if I planned to rest, I could. It was a choice I had to make. I needed to separate myself from the world and recharge my batteries. I don’t need to wait for an invitation. God has already called me to rest. I can simply rest. Rest in His faithfulness. Rest in His love. Rest in His work. It felt good to have a month of just breathing in and listening to His Word.
6. Friendships are worth it. I find it hard to make friends. Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t allow for much adult interaction. Over the years I decided I would rather have a few close friends than several distant friends. Developing community is important, but taking the time and energy for it has been tough. It is a conscious choice to reach out and reach in. I need to reach out to women around me. And for some of those women, allow them in. Whether we meet every two weeks or every month, I’ve learned it is important to make time for the women in my life who will help me grow spiritually and uphold me when I’m struggling.
7. Truth will always combat lies. If a theme has emerged so far with this year, it is truth versus lies. I’ve struggled with the lies the world and enemy like to throw at me. I’m not good enough. I am all alone. I’m a bad mother. I can’t write. Adoption is too hard. God has responded with His Word. So full of truth. So full of promises. I can always stand on these promises. God will help me love. Adoption is the Gospel. Its ok to take a break. God is with me. No matter how loud the lies like to shout in our ears, we should always be listening for His quiet, still voice.

What lessons have you learned so far this year? I read every comment and value your thoughts!

Thanks for reading!