A reflection on 2008

2008 was a year of many changes. It had it's ups and it had it's downs but I'm definitely looking forward to what 2009 has in store for me.

It's hard to believe, but at this time last year, I was getting ready to head back for my final quarter as a college student before my full time internship. I was preparing myself for the goodbyes I knew were only ten weeks away and planning what would be my last spring break trip with people I knew I would never forget.

Now, a year later, I'm an adult and instead of getting ready to head back to the world of classes and papers, I'm headed back to the world of teaching and changing diapers. I never thought a year ago that I would be teaching preschool and changing my mind about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

It amazes me how much happier I am when I let God's plan for me take precedence over what I want. Tonight at the youth worship service, Seth gave a mini talk on letting go of the things we were holding onto from our past, whether it was things we ourselves had done or things other people had done to us. As he talked and we prayed, I realized how long it's been since I've given God the keys and let His plan be the major factor in my life. Instead, I keep thinking I know what's best, when in fact I need to let God factor into every single part of my life, not just the parts I let Him into.

Tym popped into my head tonight as I was praying about this because he constantly tells me that his faith is what helps him to make all of his decisions in his life and that letting God surround every part of him is how he lives out his faith. I want that. I want 2009 to be the year that I pray out every decision I make and start living out my faith, regardless of what other people think. 2009 is going to be a year I can look back on and tell myself that I was pleased with how God had moved and that there wasn't a single ounce of regret. One year from tonight I want to be able to say, "Thank you Lord for being the center of my life."

Here's to a brand new 2009. :-)