Becoming Virtuous

Another year has come to a close. It didn’t look anything like I expected, and it was one of the hardest in so many ways. Yet, God also proved His faithfulness time and again as He met me in the midst of the hard days. And I can say that I’m standing at the beginning of this year with more hope and peace than I think I ever have before. Because of God, I have so much to be thankful for.

In the pics there is a snapshot of a few of the highlights from this year. And per the usual, if you want to read some of the lessons I learned last year, I’ll drop those here as well.

• “Your failures serve as a beautiful reminder that you were in the arena trying.”
• “Unspoken expectations are premeditated resentments.” Neil Strauss
• “The single most powerful thing you can do in a relationship, whether it’s personal or professional, is to give someone 100% of your attention.” Brad Jacobs
• Change doesn’t have to be your favorite for you to handle it alright ~ Rachel Kimzey
• God will meet you in the learning curve. ~ Tracy Kimzey
• David *knew* he was going to be king. But he was patient and waited on God’s perfect timing, even serving his predecessor faithfully despite Saul trying to kill him.
• “When you start forming an identity that is based purely off of your critical eye toward everything, you’re missing something. …What are you building? The people who are building get less concerned about the critics, if they have a clear vision of what it is that they are supposed to be building and crafting.” ~ Nathan Rittenhouse
• “You are made to die dissatisfied.” Joshua Luke Smith
• “If it’s not good, God’s not done.” Sarah Shaw
• “It takes courage to do the work of change rather than emotionally withdrawing or walking away.” – Untangling Emotions: Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith
• “Oftentimes, our desire to rebel against authority speaks far less about their authority than it does about our own heart. Because most of the time, rules and authorities are out for your protection and good. Not all the time, but most of the time. And when we rebel it’s saying, ‘I want to be in control because I know best.’ And that’s arrogant, that’s sinful, and this text says it will lead to your harm. So, joyfully submit.” – Nate Hilgenkamp
• The situation is important; but it is not determinative. – David Powlison
• “Hope doesn’t ask, ‘Will this work?’ Hope asks, ‘Is this the right thing to do?’” – Cameron McAllister
• In Ecclesiastes where it says it is good to find enjoyment in your work, that phrase literally means in Hebrew, “make his soul see good” in his toil.
• God’s last work of creation was to sit back and enjoy what He had created. God also calls us to enjoy a job well done.
• God in the parable praised both of the workers who grew their talents, it didn’t matter how much they produced. And He rewards/praises my work, despite its imperfections and flaws, and He uses it for His bigger purposes.
• “Faith is long obedience in the same direction.” – Eugene Peterson
• “Resilience is long hope in the same direction. Love is long commitment in the same direction.” Jonathan Brush