Friday, January 7, 2011

Welcome 2011. It's good to have you :)

We all have those crummy days... and yesterday just happened to be one of mine.  A couple of different things happened that really made me sad. {One involved a barely-alive mouse who was suffering and needed to be put out of its misery.  I know, I know- it's ridiculous. But being a former owner of numerous hamsters- my favorites being GusGus and Duncan- I have a soft spot in my heart for rodents. And he was a cute little thing. Plus, I cry sometimes just at the thought of an animal suffering- so this wasn't good.)  The other "occurrence" was something I had to do that required me to dig up a lot of buried, unpleasant memories and feelings from years ago.

2005 was, without a doubt, the hardest, most painful year of my life.  There's no need to go into any details- I know that everyone has had terrible things that they've gone through- many I'm sure that were much worse than mine.  So I don't want to make this a pity party.  But anytime I think back on that year, I can just feel the sadness, depression, betrayal, lonliness that I experienced.  But in the same breath, I can also say that it was the most wonderful year of growing with my Savior.  Even though I felt hopeless and worthless and disappointment in some of my relationships, I knew I was loved and being carried through it all by my Jesus.  I remember thinking that I would never fully heal, and I would never be the same person that I had been before.  But it's amazing how God can mend a broken heart and bring about His plans to be even better than what I had planned for myself. 

Coming into 2011, it's almost like that time in my life is a bizarre dream- like I can't believe it really happened.  The heaviness I felt has been completely lifted, and I truly feel like He's redeemed my whole "story".  I know there will be more heartache to come in my future, but I also know He has countless blessings to come as well.  I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for Nick and me :)
*{And hopefully it will involve a lot more sewing, more frequently cooking, running more miles, being more organized, and being more deliberate about quiet time. Just in case you were expecting this to be about resolutions, I decided to slip those in :)  Those are just a few of the things I'd like to work on in the coming year!}

6 comments:

  1. I'm so proud of you and thankful to the Lord for His unspeakable, awesome plan. You are a precious example of God's glory when He triumphs over what evil intended for harm. I love you, sweet friend!

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  2. Joy, you are such an encouraging, sweet person. I'm so glad I've been able to get to know you over the past few months. I hope 2011 is an incredible year for you (maybe you can push me toward resolving to organize more, run more, cook more, and be more deliberate about quiet time, too?)

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  3. I love the way you said that God "redeemed your story"! I LOVE they way He blessed you with Nick and I hope 2011 is your best year yet!!!!

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  4. Joy, this post made me cry! You and your family truly touch my heart, and I am so glad for all the Lord has blessed you all with. You are an absolute blessing, I can think of no one more deserving of all those good things you have now :)

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  5. Joy--so beautiful! I love then verse in Isaiah 43..."I have REDEEMED you,I have summoned you by name. YOU ARE MINE!" Praying right now for much peace and many blessings for you this year!

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  6. Thank you for this reminder & encouragement, Joy. I too can say the hardest most painful times have also been the absolute best as He has revealed Himself to me. So thankful that He has brought you through the valley :)

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