I have a hard time, saying “2016 sucked, and I want 2017 to be better”. Some people that know what my family has been through might think I am right in thinking that way. Some people have even expressed their support in having a “better” 2017. However, here are my reasons why 2016 was an amazing year and why I wouldn’t change anything.
#1: I met God on a whole new level, and by that I mean for the first time in my life I know that he is right next to me, he carried me through my darkest times. He truly CARRIED me, in such a way that I was numb with grief and he carried me along to let me process it little by little. He opened my eyes to blessings, he opened my heart to others who have walked this road before me, and those after me. God is gracious and has a divine plan for why I get to have my little girl in heaven. This is a humbling, terrific and thrilling experience that I wish to share with everyone!
#2: Growing up in California, and being a “transplant” into “Sioux county society” I have always found it hard to fit in, or make true friends. But, in 2016 I have developed and cultivated some absolutely amazing friendships, as well as renewed some old ones. There is so much truth to “You don’t know who your friends are until you need them”. I needed them, and they were there. They cried with me, prayed for me, and loved on my family with me.
#3: I see the world, and it’s heartbreaking reality completely different. I see peoples intolerance towards others disgusting. People think so higly if themselves that they feel they need to get everyone to agree with them. Yet, one absolutely amazing thing, is God made us all different, different points of view, different meanings, different styles. Why not embrace everyone for their individual style and let them be? How boring if we all dresses, talked and thought the same way.
#4: Death has no power over me. Laying in a hospital bed, and hearing the words “you were on your death bed” after delivering your lifeless daughter, you see death differently. It was a sureal feeling, not like what I had imagined before, but it wasn’t scary either. God granted me peace, and I can only pray that however long my life may be, that when it is my time God will grant me that same peace.
#5: I love love love my husband!! Oh how I never thought I had so much to learn yet about my husband of 9 years. I mean, ya I knew that we each grow and have to keep learning and adapting to different stages of life. But WOW, my eyes have been open and I see him so much deeper now. His love, compassion, sympathy, devotion and worry for me is incredibly deep. To see that come through him to me, makes me feel like the whole world is at our finger tips.
I cannot honestly pray, and ask for a “better” year. I have prayed (and this is a pretty bold prayer) “Lord, thank you for your blessings weather they came from trials or not they have brought me to know you and love you more deeply. I pray that through 2017 we will strengthen our relationship more. And, of I may be so bold to ask for a year of blessings that don’t come from trials. Amen”.
It is a bold prayer, and it might be something I “hope” for but I know one thing. No matter what God will be there trials or not.
Allison
A Hope Filled Life 