LIFE LESSONS from 2020

2020 has been on the hardest years most of us have faced in our lives. Many have labeled 2020 as a dumpster fire. In many ways, I must confess I agree with these folks. In the midst of this global pandemic that has changed & devastated so many lives, there have been many LIFE LESSONS to take from 2020 into 2021 ... and hopefully, into every day of my life until I meet my LORD face to face. 

JANUARY: 
* Freedom Session (FS) began with my cousin, Laura. Although freedom & healing are still in process, I discovered that I wasn't alone. God hadn't abandoned me, and I had family who were/are passionate about my freedom in Christ. They are passionate about me living out my purpose in life, too.
* Some of the best friendships are developed through the daily-ness of life ... 

FEBRUARY:
* Not too long into my FS journey, I began to find FS parallels within the pages of Scripture. Although the journey wasn't easy, there was a peaceful chaos within my soul knowing that the principles of FS could be found within Scripture. 
* "The only RIGHT answer is an HONEST answer." This quote STILL resonates loudly within my soul because I'm a people pleaser. 
* My heart began to love and yearn for a place I've never been: CANADA.
* Jesus is the greatest Valentine of all!
* Prayer has always intimidated me; however, "prayer is sometimes as simple as just being with God."

MARCH:
* It's okay to like myself & to celebrate the gifts & strengths that God's given me. 
* Jesus reveals what He's willing to heal.
* I must ask God into the hurt & lies of my life.
* Not everything I think or write needs to be made known, even if it is true.
* "He <God> is more than enough, and you have HIM." 
* I am created to worship God.
* God's true people do not condemn you because of your past. 

APRIL:
* Jesus' proclamation of TETELESTAI on Calvary was for all that was/is wrong in life ... past/present/future.
* LEAN IN! to God and others. Learn to truly listen & see.
* God is the God of hesed - steadfast love! I met some AMAZING sisters in Christ from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada, during an online ZOOM retreat. My world was rocked & changed in ways I cannot describe. 
* Miracles still happen!

MAY: 
* Learn to see myself as God sees me.
* Begin to pray SPECIFIC, not vague, prayers.
* God's so much bigger & greater than what I ever knew! 

JUNE & JULY:
* ASSIST Canada & its mission gripped my soul through online prayer meetings & mission reports. The harvest is, indeed, plentiful. Oh, LORD, do a work & equip me to go. 

AUGUST:
* God put a passion in my soul ... I must fulfill His calling, even if I go alone.
* My world great even more with a Philippians Bible study. From one side of Canada to the other, I saw God be honoured and glorified like never before! 
* Heaven rules!

SEPTEMBER:
* I can REST in the fact that God is El Shama - the God who hears me.
* I must devote my entire life to truly knowing God.

OCTOBER:
* I am NOT called to a blind faith.
* "My great business in life is to please God." This Hudson Taylor quote/life motto should characterize my life.
* BE LIGHT!
* I must run to God, even when I'm alone in my passion for His ministry.

NOVEMBER:
* Focus on what I'm to do, NOT on what I don't have.
* Psalm 73:28 "The nearness of God is my good."
* Art is a great distraction & a way for me to monitor my words.
* Set practical SMART goals & attain them.

DECEMBER:
* God is big enough for my questions. Rely on the Holy Spirit.
* The Holy Spirit is my truth & lie detector.
* Jesus must be the goal of my life & pursuits.
* Faith doesn't have to be complicated to be deep.
* I am BEAUTIFUL in God's sight. I am WANTED, APPRECIATED, & LOVED by God. I am a COMPETENT person by God's grace. I am a RIGHTEOUS person, COVERED by Christ's purity/goodness/righteousness. I am SECURE in Christ.
* Sometimes freedom in your journey comes through purging that which you though you couldn't live without.
* God still answers REAL prayers!

As this very difficult year comes to an end and a new year begins, how I long for a greater work of God ... a greater love for God ... a renewed spirit to press on by His grace ... How I long to see more prayers answered & more miracles happen! 

To God be the glory!
Great things He hath done!