A Season of Gratitude

I was driving home through the falling crystals of snow and suddenly felt a huge wave of gratitude.

Ecclesiastes chapter 3 says this:

 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

2012 was a wonderful season. It was a season of joy after many several seasons of sorrow.

It was the season of EFY. Serving and working with the youth changed my life in a way I never imagined. I will never be the same. I will always be watching myself more closely, thinking "would I want my girls to see me doing that?" and because of this, I am a better person. There are now 40 young women in this world who have a little piece of my heart. I wish them love.

It was the beginning of my season at PCMC. My job on the infant unit dropped into my lap like a gift wrapped opportunity from Heaven. I have learned how to be more compassionate, less judgemental, and more patient with myself. I have met so many people, both coworkers and patients, that have inspired me and made my days brighter. I never knew you could love working so much.

It was the season of living at home again. I moved home in April and have stayed home. It has been such a blessing. I feel like I was given another chance to be little again, to be silly with my sisters, to tease Andrew, to snuggle my Nate, to cuddle with my Mom and ask advice from my Dad. My heart feels sad as this season draws to a close.

It was the season of IMC. I loved my internship. I went in there thinking I could never love these adults as much as I love my babies at Primary, but I was wrong. You love those whom you serve. You love those whom you choose to love. And I love the people at Cardiac Rehab.

It was the season of faith and trusting. (Lets be real, that season will never end for me.) There were many unknowns, and there are still many unknowns. There were disappointments. There were surprises. There was a stolen car, a rejection letter, mistakes at work, and many more. I'm grateful for them all.

My life is so, so beautiful. It overflows with love, opportunity, peace, laughter, learning, growth, and happiness. Here's to the Season of 2013, may it be a time of peace, dancing, laughter, embracing, healing, gathering, and love.