I woke up this morning praising the Lord for His mercy.

As the sun streamed through the window and Phil Wickham sang to me on my iPod, it hit me…this is a new year—2009, so full of possibilities. Why is it that we celebrate the turning of the year? We hate growing old, and to be honest, December 31st is only one minute different than January 1st; but still, the idea of a new year holds so much potential.

I think that I get excited for the New Year because it represents a fresh start in my walk with God.

The year 2008 represents so many mistakes and yet so much growth in my life (everything but my height, that is. I’m still stuck at the 5’3” mark, regrettably enough). I was single for another year and didn’t appreciate as much as I should have, fought temptations and lost frequently, struggled with my “calling” in youth ministry, developed what the doctors think is a really bad case of vertigo…but I also finished my Associate’s degree, stepped out in other ministry, was accepted into the university that I never thought I could possibly attend, moved to Kirkland, and met the roommate who would become one of my best friends.

I saw the Lord provide for another trip to visit missionaries John and Robin Mazariegos in Mexico this year, I witnessed His provisional hand in the scholarships I received, even had the incredible privilege of seeing God begin to heal one of the relationships that has been the hardest for me to work though in past years. I have learned to feel the incredible love of God as He carries me through trauma and my own shortcomings as He holds me and prepares me for the future that He is creating for me.

As Phil Wickham said, I’m “rejoicing in this divine romance” with my Creator, this slow learning of one another, though He knew me before I was born. He is romancing me with His kindness and love as He holds me and teaches me lesson after lesson each new day.

If that is what I have to look forward to, growing this incredible relationship through the hard times and the good times with every passing day, then I am grateful for this fresh start.

I am thankful for another year of being alive in my Savior’s arms.
Welcome, 2009.