"It's that element of surprise.
When you lose control, you discover new things." ~ D Lanois
If 2024 taught me anything, it was that the element of surprise is a very powerful force and one you should not underestimate.
Some surprises 2024 threw my way were much needed and welcomed. The kind of surprise that makes you smile and laugh and you think YAY!!! The kind that when it happens you can't even describe the joy you are experiencing in words. It makes you happy and grateful. You feel alive, your skin is tingling and you are ready to conquer the world!
Then, there were those surprises that came unexpectedly and without warning. I did not laugh or feel joy with them. In fact, they took me into darkness and I was forced onto my knees and made me feel like my heart was ripped out of me on various levels and on various occasions. For some time it was difficult to find any joy in life. My hope was low and running out fast.
Each one of these surprises came in a package with a label that said:
"To You, From Life". I mean, what can possibly go wrong?!
I guess when you open a surprise you never know what you are getting. Hence the word "surprise"! Sometimes you love the gift and it is heartwarming and amazing, and you are totally thrilled! Then there are times when you open one and your face immediately shows your disappointment and you go "This was not what I was expecting. Can I return this one?" You are confused and angry and your heart is in so much pain. Well... SURPRISE!!
But, every surprise brought growth. Some took more time than others but you get there eventually. I guess we can compare our life's growth to nature. If the sun shined and it was favorable circumstances all the time, there would be very little growth and it would be hard work to keep all the gardens and fields wet to enable growth. It would actually be impossible because there would be no water to do so. Therefore, the circumstances have to change.
That is why there are four seasons in one year, that is why there are sunshine, rain, hail, etc. The earth needs all of it to function in its full and best capacity. So do we. We need the good surprises life brings and we need the bad surprises life brings. When things are always good, there will be no growth for us too. That is why we have insurance for circumstances that are crucial to nature but unfortunately are paired with destruction - like hail. We need to get to a point where we lose control, where we realize we are not in control and we are brought to our knees. That is where we find that our insurance is the Higher Power that enables us to endure all the surprises life brings. God is our only insurance in life and if you are not insured, you will always worry. If you are, you would run for shelter and let things be. Especially the things we have no control over.
Thank you, 2024 for teaching me valuable lessons, I had a ball and I had it rough. But if I know one thing, it is that 2025 will not be any different. It will be magnificent and it will be ugly - this is not something we can prevent or control. The only way for me to survive whatever this year might bring is to know Who is in control and Where my help comes from.
Are your insurance in place? Spend time with God so that when the hard times come, you will not be caught off guard. EVERYONE needs insurance - trust me! I also thought "It will never happen to me" ... then we had 2024. My insurance is still paying off. Some days are harder than others and if I did not have the luxury of serving a God that is Almighty, I don't think I would've made it through losing my best friend, my partner in crime, my confidant - my brother. YOU NEED INSURANCE! Not all surprises will be pleasant. Trust me.
Psalm 121:1-4
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Regardless of how heartbreakingly sad 2024 ended for us as a family, I am still in awe of the Wonders of God and how He kept us through the good and the bad. I still trust in His plans for me. I put my weak hand in His strong hand and I enter 2025 knowing that it will not all be good, but I will endure, I will love, I will laugh, I will cry and most of all, I will praise Him.
May 2025 be prosperous and may you take comfort in knowing that no matter what this year brings, by the grace of God, we will look each other in the eye at the end of this year and say we have been surprised time and again, we lost control and we are still alive and able to tell all the stories!
Do not be discouraged by the bad surprises, use them to your advantage and enjoy the journey!
Have a wonderful 2025!
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