Becoming Virtuous

Wow, what a crazy year! Two siblings got married, I spent more time housesitting and traveling in the last half of the year than I spent at home, I made so many new friends and deepened relationships with old ones, got a puppy (and spent many, many hours watching her), hung out with some cool little girls at church, and grew closer to my family.

This year has been one crazy rollercoaster, with amazing highs and incredibly deep lows. But I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness through it all. And for the friends and family He has given me to walk alongside in this journey.

Being born near the beginning of the year makes this time of year super extra reflective for me. Hence, some random ponderings from this past year, in no particular order.

• God is incredibly patient with me. And I don’t know why, except that He is very good and very kind.
• Idolatry destroys relationships.
• Pride also destroys. It leads you to think you can do everything, or that you’re the only one who can do things right. It’s the precursor to burnout.
• Wanting to help is good, but saying yes all the time leads to overcommitting and not completing anything well. (Also, see point on pride.)
• Weddings can either tear a family apart, or bring them together. We were blessed that both of our family’s weddings last year did the latter.
• I’m so grateful for God’s goodness in bringing us such awesome families for my siblings to marry into, and for us to be related to.
• Friends are for supporting you when you’re having a rough time. And it’s silly to think you’re too much of a burden to even ask them to pray for you. And you might be surprised if you give them the chance to show up.
• Past trauma is no small thing. But it doesn’t have to rule you forever. God can bring healing.
• It’s good to set goals. But sometimes priorities change, and that doesn’t make you a failure.
• Half marathons are easier to run than to train for. Triathlons are easier to train for than to do. (At least in my experience.)
• Extended times alone are not good for me. I start to go a bit crazy and turn into a blob.
• Knowing yourself really well doesn’t always bring clarity. But knowing God more almost always does.
• I am what I think about. Do I dwell on anxious, depressing, or angry thoughts? Or do I dwell on God’s character, things I’m thankful for, and what is true, lovely, and pure, etc?
• Not everything is about me.
• Kindness and gentleness speak a louder word than all the platforms in the world. Especially if it’s to someone you disagree with.
• People who always have to be right are draining. They also cause a lot of conflict.
• I’m more creative than I thought I was.
• Choir is basically the best thing ever.