2009 was a very full year for me, so I thought it'd be good to try to think through and articulate some of the lessons I've received in this past year.
1. Forgiveness can't fully happen until you've let yourself feel the weight of the hurt, anger, sadness or whatever it is you've felt from being wronged. If you try to "forgive and forget" before letting yourself truly feel, that person/those people/that event/those emotions will always have a hold on you and you won't really be able to let it go.
2. On that note, it's really okay to be mad, frustrated, sad, etc. It really is. Trying to talk yourself out of those feelings isn't helpful for you or anyone else. You can't deal with something while also denying its existence. And don't deny the existence of negative emotions. Your feelings matter. They're trying to tell you something, so pay attention.
3. Relationships that are able to persevere through hardship and differences are fueled by God's grace. In fact, they have God written all over them.
4. Growth can only happen when you take risks. Taking risks also means giving yourself room to make mistakes. It's okay to make mistakes. Actually, get used to it, because you will make mistakes. Lots of them. But you don't have to freak out about this, because God is in the business of making masterpieces out of broken pieces.
5. God heals and redeems. He really does. He is willing to touch all of those areas in your life that seem untouchable, unchangeable. There is Life in His touch.
6. Growing up and changing for the better is hard work. This can be exciting and terrifying simultaneously.
7. Time to laugh and play is SO important. Growing up doesn't mean you have to let go of all of the good parts of being a kid.
8. Lattes taste the best with soy milk.
