A Year in Review: 2010

Like so many people, I have spent my morning reflecting on what this past year has meant to me. I couldn't have imagined all that came my way, the successes I'd have and the tragedies I'd face.

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No, this isn't a giant pat on the back to myself. What I accomplished and experienced was through merely the grace of God and, for some reason, he decided to bless me with incredible opportunities. May this post shine as a "My God is so good" post. May it point you to Him and not me.

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There's no way I can ever say it all, so here's an understated summary of 2010:

I finally listened to God's call and joined a community group.

Weekly I was able to see what Biblical community looked like, and I lived it.

I learned that leading is merely serving, and serving is completely selfless.

I won a State Championship.

I sifted through photos of a family I had never met, trying to find at least one not destroyed by the flood.

I finally bought a Contributor.

I learned a homeless man's name, and told him mine.

I worked with NFL athletes.

I went on vacation with 13 people I didn't even know six months before.

I had the swine flu, pneumonia and bronchitis all at the same time... and survived.

I coached five volleyball teams and, for the first time in my career, had more wins than losses.

I shared some dark parts of my heart, and experienced love in spite of it.

I witnessed light shining into dark places.

I made some really dumb decisions, and a few really good ones.

I ran my first 5k.

I broke my foot.

I worked in a bakery, as a nanny, and a dog sitter in addition to my career endeavors.

I was forgiven.

I forgave.

I finally knew what it was like to have real friends.

I taught, and was taught.

Led, and followed.

I saw a flood devastate communities.

I saw hope overcome hopeless situations.

I told someone who Jesus was, while sitting in his flood-damaged house.

I learned how to love, and be loved in return.

I cried, a lot.

I witnessed miracles.

I saw people leave church barefoot in order than someone might have shoes.

I saw our brand new church turn into flood headquarters.

I saw someone put their last dollar in their car to have enough gas to get to our community group.

I saw needs met, hearts healed, and love poured out.

I found my home in Nashville.

I saw God make beautiful things out of broken, empty situations.


Now I have no idea what all will happen in 2011, but I do know that God is not yet finished with me. The year has potential of several changes, possible moves, and career changes but I know it's all in His hands. Regardless of what comes my way, God is faithful. He always has been. 2010 is proof of that. I've never had reason not to trust Him. And that is something worth trusting in.

Week 1: Acts

For those of you who read my post last Wednesday, you know I've set out to read the Bible in the next sixty-six weeks (reading a book per week), and it all started with the book of Acts. With my first week complete of Project 66, there are some serious observations I made about myself and my commitment to the Word.

1. I couldn't tell you the last time I read the Bible every day, for seven days straight.

This breaks my heart to say this. As a leader, role model, and someone who people genuinely look to for advice and guidance, it's unbelievable to me how a basic principle in Christian faith has been missing for such a long time.

2. Reading the Word changes you.

No kidding. You are sitting there asking yourself, "Is she for real? Is she just now realizing this?" The answer is no. I've known the Word of God changes your life since it first changed mine at a young age. The reality is I've just been too selfish and lazy to take the time to allow it to these days. But, over the course of this past week, I have seen changes in my attitude, my speech, and my overall outlook on life. My priorities, different. My focus, changed. If seven days can do that, imagine what the next 455 days will look like. (Yes, I did the math just for you.)

3. Acts is an extraordinary book to start this journey on.

As many of you know, my community group at church has been digging into what an intentional, Biblical lifestyle would look like. It's a radical difference in comparison to today's modern church, but, when compared to the Bible, it is completely normal. To start this journey with Acts seems a little too perfect (well, my next pick followed suit..). Being challenged by what the church looked like from the start was eyeopening to say the least. There's no way I can summarize what reading Acts was for me here in a blog. All I know is that it was a perfect way to start not only challenging myself to read the Bible, but to live it.

And my next random draw?

Ephesians.

Good News

'Tis the season.

I couldn't count how many times I say or hear this phrase these days.

Buying ridiculous things for ridiculous prices...
Eating extra desserts and skipping the gym...
Scheduling 6 different holiday parties...
...and ensuring you're exhausted until January 17... 'tis the season, right?

And then, there are the songs.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
...parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow...

And we buy it, don't we?

If we get that great gift, or host that perfect party, it will be the absolutely most wonderful time of the year. The more people you're around, the more exhausted you are, the more successful the Christmas season will be.

Honestly? I can't argue with that. Starting this Friday I'm booked solid until I fly to visit my family (where I will, most definitely, be booked solid as well). Friday marked for me the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year.

Until my phone went off this morning. It was a dear friend of mine from college. Why she was texting me at 6am, I was rather curious.

"Can you pray for my family? My aunt and uncle were killed last night and my cousin is in critical care."

That's all the text read.

Still think it's the most wonderful time of the year?

Merry Christmas, an entire branch of her family is gone.
Killed.
What's worse?
It was a murder-suicide.

Her uncle shot his wife and daughter, then turned the gun on himself.

A unbelievably harsh reality during a season we all hope to use as an escape.

But let me plea with you. Just because it is Christmas, it is not automatically merry. Just because people smile and hum along with the songs played in Target, it does not mean they are jolly.

For many, Christmas is a reminder of just how dark their world really is.
For some, Christmas unveils the deepest hurts a person has experienced.

Just three days ago I received my friend's Christmas card and posted it on my fridge. We talked and I hoped to see her while I was back in Boston for Christmas.
Grab a cup of coffee.
Talk about life.
Get excited about all that's going on for each of us.

But now?
I want to rush to her house.
Embrace her.
Cry with her.
Ask God to give her comfort and strength in such a dark time.

A dark time?

But it's Christmas.

Today, people still bustled about.
Credit cards were swiped.
Holiday jingles played in every store.
Everyone around me went on with their day as if Christmas made them immune to life's cruelties.

But life doesn't take a holiday.
Usually, it gets a little darker, sharper, and little more lonely this time of year.

Tonight at a coffee shop I heard "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" at least three times. It took all I had within me to not burst into tears in the middle of Barnes & Noble.

No, it's not.
It is not the most wonderful time of the year.
Not for my friend, for her family, or for her cousin that is struggling to survive in ICU. Even if she wakes up, her father tried to kill her and succeeded in killing her mom and himself.

But the cruel reality?
This isn't the only death that will take place this Christmas.
This isn't the only family that will feel heartbreak and confusion while others skip about through stores.
This isn't the only dark moment in what is supposedly the brightest of times.

But, the good news?
Yes, exactly.

The good news.

The good news is that Christmas has nothing to do with feeling jolly, or seasonal lattes, jewelry, big screen TVs, and a new Lexus.
It has nothing to do with the material craze we obsess over on Black Friday.
It has absolutely nothing to do with how many presents you can get or give away.

No, the good news is that although we are desperate, we are given hope.
The good news is that humanity has always been desperate, and God gave us a way out.
The good news is that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.
The good news is the reason we celebrate.

Jesus.
He is the Good News.

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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on who his favor rests."

Luke 2:8:-14

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So, whether you're familiar with the story or not, let me encourage you to dig into the Good News this Christmas season. It's a story with hope for the hopeless, light for those in darkness, and truth for those desperately in need. A Savior was born. A light was shone. Be encouraged this Christmas, for there is Good News.

Project 66

Reading the Bible.

From the first day of "becoming a Christian" I was told to read the Bible.
Root myself in the Word.
Stand on the Lord's promises.
Day one I knew the Bible was rather important.

And although I could spout off Bible knowledge and memorized verses to you, my commitment to reading the Word is shaky. I don't get up every morning and read it. I'd rather spend my time reading Max Lucado and C.S. Lewis books... but the Bible?

Pardon me as I yawn.

My faith is of utmost importance to me. It has been my foundation since I was little. God has been faithful through the most trying of times, and through everything I have learned that committing my life to Him and living it out in such a way that people see Him through me is worth it.

Go on missions trips to share the Gospel? Yes.
Lead worship? You got it.
Start an FCA chapter in college? Done.
Be a community group leader and challenge others to grow in their faith? I love it.
But wake up in the morning and spend some time in the Word? ...maybe tomorrow.

It is baffling to me that I am so incredibly unfaithful in the little things. So many days I sit and wonder what my life would be like if I would have just committed to being rooted in the Word.

What if I spent time with Him daily?
Who could I have impacted if my focus was on eternity?
How would my life be different if I understood the character of God a little more?

But I'm done asking questions.

The other day, my friend Kenlyn started a blog called Project 66. It is a challenge she has placed on herself to commit to reading the Bible in the span of 66 weeks (due to the 66 books of the Bible). She put all the names of the books of the Bible on separate cards and will draw, at random, a new book every week to study.

The moment I read her post, I knew I had to do it as well. I quickly texted her, asked her blessing to spread the challenge to others, and prepared for my own Project 66 to start.

My Project 66 will last December 1 (2010) - March 6 (2012). Not only will I dig in to the Bible, but I will also blog about each book weekly. I encourage you to not only follow along with my progress but also along with Kenlyn's. Her blog can be found here.

So, today starts week one of my journey into rooting myself in the Word of God.

My first draw?

The Book of Acts.

This is going to be good.