Each month of 2016, I enjoyed rifling through the pages of my journal, looking back on what I’ve written, and then writing a blog post about it all. You can check out all the rest of the posts here- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Where did the year go?
At the beginning of the month, I wrote in my journal; “It’s really hard to believe that it’s already December. Wow!” In some ways, 2016 felt like it lasted forever and yet like it was gone in the blink of an eye. The kids have grown so much bigger and taller this year. They have matured and grown so much more independent in many ways.
This year we lost a sister, sister-in-law, and Auntie. You can read about it here and here. It’s hard to believe that January 1st marked 5 months since she was gone. Her sudden death has taught me a lot about my faith, God, and how a family can pull together. This year I hope to share a little bit more about the struggles I’ve gone through because of this.
People Matter Most
I finished reading Dave Ramsey’s “Entreleadership” book this month. I’ll be honest, this was definitely not my favorite book. However, I did glean some awesome things in spite of that. The importance of people was really highlighted to me through this book. Dave Ramsey cares about people so much. He puts those thoughts into action through the way he treats his team and helps people. That encouraged me to make sure that I am treating people well.
What is this life in light of Eternity?
We just finished going through a series at church that has been phenomenal. It is called “Driven by Eternity” by John Bevere. It has literally changed my whole outlook on life.
Awhile ago, I saw a short video clip by Francis Chan. Basically, he brings a really long rope onto the stage. The first two inches of that rope are painted red. He proceeds to tell us that those two inches are a little like the time we have on earth. The rest of that rope is like eternity.
So many times we get wrapped up in this world. We do good deeds and works because we want people to like us and accept us. For years, I thought very little about heaven and the life after this earth. Yet I have been a Christian since I was 5-years-old. The things that we do here on earth do count for heaven. When we become Christians, the old should have passed away and the new come. This life is but a single moment in light of forever. What are you going to do with it?
Favorite Quotes
“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” -Ezra Taft Benson
“People say motivation doesn’t last, well neither does bathing, that is why we recommend both daily.” -Zig Ziglar
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” -Leo Buscaglia
Favorite Scriptures
1 John 4:17 (NLT) And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.
1 John 2:16 (NLT) For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.
Titus 1:15, 16 (NLT) Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
I finished!
I made the goal to read through the Bible in 2016 and I made it! It was so rewarding and wonderful! When I’ve read through the Bible in the past, I found it stressful and hard. This year I learned so much. For that reason, I’m going to do it again.
What about you? What did you learn in December?