My Top 2 Life Lessons from 2014

So, I know it’s been a little while since I have written. I was going to start with an apology and a million excuses why, but the reality is, I am in holiday mode so haven’t felt like writing or made the time to do it! And you know what? That’s ok!

It’s one of the things I learned in 2014. I learned so much in the last year, about myself, my life, God and the world around me. I am so thankful God doesn’t leave us where we are but is constantly working on us. I could write pages about the things 2014 taught me but luckily for you, I have narrowed it down to my top 2:

I can & I am

I learned that I can!

I can set myself a goal and stick to it. Last year I decided to run my first ever 1/2 marathon (13 miles or 21.1km) and despite all my excuses, my doubts and my fear of failure…..I did it! My goal was to run the whole way and to finish, and I am proud to say I did both in a time of 2:08:28, which I don’t think is too shabby for a 40ish old Mum!

 

 

I learned that I can step outside of my comfort zone, and when I do, God will meet me! I attended Declare Conference in August and this was a huge step of faith for me! To jump on a plane and travel for 22 hours to stay with people I had never met, to then attend a conference with 250 women, knowing absolutely no one, feeling like I had to convince them that I actually am I writer,  feeling so out of my comfort zone…..talk about a fish out of water!

 

I also learned that I can make a difference in the world. I can travel to Mexico with my family and build houses for 2 families and change their world. I can cope with 40 degree heat, sweating like a pig, having heat stroke, eating different foods, seeing poverty like I have never seen before, sharing a house with 21 other people, visiting an orphanage which is heartbreaking beyond words and learning again, that I can step out of my comfort zone!

 

 

But I think for me the biggest lesson in 2014 is that I am!

I am ok! Sure, I am not perfect, in fact, I will be the first to point out all my faults, but that’s ok! I am who God created me to be. I am a work in progress, I am learning who I am and who God has created me to be, and where I am at the moment is ok! It’s ok with God and it’s ok with me, and really that’s all that matters! I am ok with my shortcoming and I am ok with my faults. I am ok with where I am at but will continue with Gods help and guidance to be all He has called me to be! And so for one more time (probably for my sake, not yours!) I AM OK!

I am enough! This has been a tough and ongoing lesson for me, but God really hit me up about it in 2014. I am enough. Full stop. No buts, no comma’s. I am enough. I don’t need to envy the women next to me, I don’t need to be any different than I am and I don’t need to be wishing I was someone else! I am enough. Without striving and without comparing myself to others I am enough. Even if I did nothing all year except sit on my butt and eat french fries, I am enough! Now, don’t hear me wrong, I am not going to do that…..although at this very moment that does seem very tempting! But even if I did, I am still enough. I have complete trust in God that He isn’t done with me yet so at the moment, where I am and what I do is enough for Him!

I am loved! Of course you are, I can hear you all saying. You have a husband, kids, family and friends who all love you. And yes, while I know this is true, I am talking about being loved by My Heavenly Father. And again, yes, I know this to be true as well, but in 2014, it has been about getting that knowledge from my head to my heart. We all know that God loves us, but it has been a real revelation to me! So many times He has gently whispered to me about His unconditional love for me, reminding me of who He is, who I am and how no matter what I do (or don’t do) His love is steadfast, unshakable and constant.He loves me when I am at my best and He loves me when I am at my worst. He loves me when I spend time with Him and He loves me even when I don’t. He loves me through all my excuses, all my trials and He loves me through all my protesting. Yip, God loves me with a love so pure and deep that I struggle to comprehend. But He is also teaching me that I don’t need to comprehend….I just need to accept!

So, there are my top 2 life lessons for 2014. I am so thankful for what I have learnt and I am excited at what 2015 holds for me.