2018 Reflections:
What a year. A year of endings and beginnings. A year of “lasts” and “firsts”. A year filled with moments of celebration as well as moments of difficult goodbyes. A year of transitions, major changes and learning through it all! A year where God called me to completely surrender and trust Him and finding myself in awe-struck wonder of His glory when I do so.
Here’s a little “year-end review” of what God has taught me about Himself and myself:
January- March 2018-
It’s crazy how much life can change in just a year. This time last year, I was preparing and packing to student teach overseas in Ghana, Africa for eight weeks! Little did I know that a year later, I would be sitting in my house in KL, Malaysia writing this reflection. God was so patient with me in Ghana as I learned to trust Him in the waiting. He grew a deeper passion in me for international education, and I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do. Yet, I had to trust Him in His timing and recognize He is not limited by time. He operates outside of my concept of time as He is so much greater. In the waiting, He taught me to surrender my “time-line” for my life, and I found freedom in giving Him control of my future.
The day before I left Ghana, I accepted my first full-time job as a 4th grade teacher at Oasis International School, KL, Malaysia.
March-May 2018-
I came home for one week after student teaching in Ghana and then returned to Lynchburg, VA where I finished my second half of student teaching. I student taught alongside a special education teacher at a public middle school.
During my final weeks of ST and finishing my undergraduate degree, God taught me that there is not a single season in my life that He wastes. I had to trust Him in every single season. It was a sweet season where I got to enjoy the relationships I made in college as I went on countless coffee dates, hikes and adventures with some of my best friends. It was also difficult because I knew it would be quite some time before I would ever see my best friends again. But instead of mourning, the Lord reminded me to savour the good gifts of friendship He had given me. He had used many of these friendships over the years to teach me more about Him.
There were many still and quiet moments I had with the Lord as I learned to be in communion with Him. He would remind me of who He is, who I am in Him His relentless pursuit of me, His child. He never gives up, even when I wander from Him.
He can turn wandering to wonder. His faithful promises are life-giving reminders of His sovereignty.
By the grace and strength of the Lord, I graduated from Liberty University with my B.S. in Elementary Education Integrated Studies: Special Education. My whole family came up to VA for the weekend and it was one of my favorite days of the year!
June-July 2018-
This was the first summer I did not have a true summer job since I was 15.. It was strange not to work, but this gave me time to go on a few memorable trips before I moved to KL.
Over the course of 6(ish) weeks, I traveled to: San Francisco, CA, Yosemite National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Grand Canyon West, South and North (covering the states of AZ and UT), Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, Memphis, TN and a quick hop over to MS for IMPACT training. I spent time with some of my best friends, had a trip of a life-time with my dad and brother and met fellow teachers and families I would be serving alongside in KL.
During these trips and plane trips, I had a season of rest and preparation as the Lord taught me to seek Him for this next season. I was in awe-struck wonder of His glory as I basked in HIs creation and nature. It truly points to His sovereignty and creativity as Creator who receives glory upon glory for the beauty of the world He created.
July- August 2018-
I said “see ya later” to my family, friends and home country as I packed my bags and life to move over to KL, Malaysia. God gave me (and continues to give) this overwhelming peace that I am living and doing what He has created me to do for this season of my life.
I think back to the first couple of weeks in Malaysia! It’s quite a blur of putting together a home, training to do something I’ve never done before, Iearning to exist and thrive in a new culture and country, I could go on… Let me keep it simple and say I learned something new every single day!
God reminded me that all He wants from me is to abide in Him and His word. He doesn’t need me to perform for Him or compare my performance to others.
September 2018-
During my birthday weekend, I got to get away for a few days in Phuket, Thailand. This was much needed rest time, but also a time where the Lord refined me. I read a book by Nancy Leigh DeMos called: Brokeness, Surrender and Holiness. I was reminded of the power of confession to the Lord and others and what it means to have a “broken and contrite heart” before the Lord. When I allow myself to be broken before the Lord, His Light comes in through the cracks of my heart and illuminates the darkness. I must surrender to Him as He makes me whole by His holiness.
October- November 2018-
God is love and He is good. The power of that simple sentence sums up what God taught me about Himself during these months. He invites me into relationship with Him where I can remain in His love and His goodness no matter what is happening around me. His love drives out all my insecurities and fears. His goodness is sufficient. There is power in saturating myself with the truth of His love and goodness in His Word.
There is a peace that comes from dwelling in HIs goodness.
There is a peace that comes from dwelling in the promises of His Word.
There is a peace that comes from dwelling in His presence in worship.
He is my Father and I am His child. As a child, I need to learn to be completely dependent on Him and allow Him to be my Father as He guides me, teaches me, provides for me and loves me.
December 2018-
Jesus is Light and His Light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2). This dawning of light causes me to be in complete wonder of Christ. He has placed His light in His children to shine upon the darkness- on those who live in darkness or hiding things in the dark. His light illuminates the the dark places in our hearts and minds, revealing sin, destructive habits or thoughts and lies. When the light illuminates the darkness, it sheds truth. It beckons one to lay down in the light whatever was hiding in the dark. His light brings healing and freedom. Live in His Light.
As I reflect on 2018 and prepare for 2019, here are a few things thins I am making a “purpose” to do more of this year:
- TREASURING His presence, His Word and the worship of Him.
- Developing more discipline in my daily schedule to do the things He has called me to do while creating margin to spend with Him.
- Resting- Rest is necessary for creativity.
- Reflection- Reflection is necessary for growth.
Praying you desire more of Him this coming year.
– Sarah
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