On to a new year…

This year some of you lost a loved one. 

This year some of you had someone you thought loved you walk away.

This year some of you failed a class.

This year some of you got fired.

Here’s to all the people out there who will not miss 2017. Here’s to all the people who drank more wine than water and all the people who made more mistakes than triumphs.

Ugh.

I get it.

Disappointment. Loss. Hurt. Pain. Broken hearts. 

Some of these words could describe your 2017. Some of them describe mine.

Some people look back on 2017 as being a great year. A year of joy, triumphs, and accomplishments. These are good things that should be celebrated.

However, I know many of you look back on 2017 with sadness.

I get it. 2017 wasn’t that great for me. Although on the outside I looked like I was doing awesome, secretly I struggled. I think secretly, we all sort of struggled. Our social media says, “this year was great #blessed”. But the truth is we weren’t great. The year wasn’t great. And to be honest… life kind of sucked.

It is easy to want to start 2018 with a fresh, clean slate… but I’m going to challenge you not to forget the past. Your past failures and struggles are making you wiser. Your past is not meant to be forgotten… (including those old embarrassing Facebook pictures from 2009…)

Your past is a treasure, a rare jewel that explains who you are. Your past mistakes, failures, and trials become the real ancestry DNA to who you are. Some of the best blessings are lessons, and closed doors lead you to where you are meant to be. Allow your scars to be a testimony of the Lord’s strength. The Lord is the Ultimate Healer and He cares for you.

However, you do not have to stay where you are. You don’t have to stay sad. You don’t have to stay worried, upset, and hurt. Wake up eager in 2018. The Lord’s blessings are among us. It is never too late to be who you want to be. Chase your dreams and stop waiting. Stop waiting on tomorrow to be better than today. Find joy in the everyday adventure. Trust Him with your tomorrow, and live for Him in your today. 

Most importantly… breathe in-and-out.

Remember in 2017 someone had their first born and someone fell in love. 

Someone aced a test and someone saw a sunset for the first time. 

Someone had their last first kiss.

Someone brought home a puppy from the pound.