Reflections from 2023
A “longer” New Year’s Eve run seemed a fitting way to end a year I would sum up with the word endurance. Over the past few months, I’ve slowly re-built some physical stamina after a long break from regular running, and this feels like an appropriate metaphor for my 2023—a year that’s required greater endurance in multiple areas of life. Honestly, the year was so busy and intense that, in many ways, it seems like a blur. Yet, as I look back, I’m able to see how the Lord continued to shape me. Namely, it’s Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of [my] faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” who enables my own endurance. In no particular order, here’s a list of things I learned/reflected on in 2023. Not all of them were necessarily new revelations, just things I spent time thinking about.
Diligent work is really important; intentional rest is just as important but often harder to prioritize. God gave us a “6 days of work/1 day of rest” rhythm for our good. I honor God by learning to rest well, even when life feels frenetic. I’m still working on this.
The blessed life isn’t a trial-free life . For the believer, every single trial God allows is for our ultimate good and blessedness: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him ( James 1:12). I’m learning to see hard seasons of burnout and depression as God’s good to me.
It can be a hard year even if you don’t have a major life crisis. Hard isn’t the same thing as bad, though.
Audible is a true gift in busy seasons.
You don’t have to read an entire book to glean from it. As John Piper once said, “Books don’t change people, paragraphs do — sometimes sentences.” I read lots of books in part this year as I researched for my book. When it comes to books read, quality is more important than quantity.
“Gray Away” spray saves me money.
I’m a talker, a teacher, a writer, and a sharer of truth, but sometimes it’s best to be quiet. There are numerous times when I should just listen and pray rather than speak. There are also times when it’s wisest to walk away rather than engage in a conversation and potentially “throw pearls before swine “ It takes the wisdom of the Spirit to know when to speak and when to be quiet.
Running or walking outside every day is good for me—body and mind. Physical exertion helps counter mental exhaustion and stress.
I’m convinced I should do more strength training, but I have to force myself.
Prioritizing exercise is important, but holding it with an open hand is, too. The line between good stewardship of the body and body idolatry will always be a hard one to walk.
Faithfulness in the “small” (often unseen) things is more important than achieving “big” goals. God is more concerned with our character than our accomplishments.
Writing my second book was hard—a lot harder than writing the first, for numerous reasons. This one required more time, endurance, and mental fortitude. I’m really grateful I got to do it. I’m also grateful to have more margin in 2024.
Parenting well is harder (and requires more endurance) than writing a book.
There is absolutely nothing godly about being a control freak. Godliness is faithfully trusting the Father who is sovereign over our days, our circumstances, the fruit of our work, and our kids’ hearts and lives.
I pray often for God to “establish the work of my hands” (Psalm 90:17). When I’m tempted to worry about results, this prayer helps me actively relinquish control and trust God with the fruit of my labor. We’re called to plant and water seeds, but ultimately it’s God who brings the growth.
Social media will never tell the whole story. It can’t. Whatever is shared—the good, the bad, the hard, the beautiful—has been curated. It’s important to keep that in mind as I scroll and share content online.
Humility, endurance, and gratitude are three of the most important virtues to cultivate…and perhaps the three that I find most attractive in others.
You’ll never agree perfectly with any leader, teacher, pastor, or theologian—even the good ones. And not one of them will get everything right. Acknowledge that, and be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Encourage your pastors and affirm your love for them regularly. You don’t always know what they’re facing, and a little encouragement goes a long way.
Being part of the body of Christ (the church—universal and local) is one of the greatest benefits of salvation. Life in the local church is hard because it’s made up of redeemed sinners, and we’re all still being sanctified. But the church is beautiful because she is Christ’s bride—the one he promises to one day present to himself in splendor; without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27). I love the church. I really do.
Planting yourself in a local church and staying there over time through ups and downs is worthwhile.
Every friendship is different. Embrace each one for what it is. If you have even one friend you can go deep with, you’re blessed. Lonely seasons are a blessing, too, if they drive you into deeper intimacy with Jesus and give you eyes to see others who need a friend.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox (Proverbs 14:4). Family life is a messy business, literally and metaphorically speaking. The never-ending workload of home really wears me out, especially in this season. But! There are bountiful blessings to be gained through service, endurance, and the precious people God has given me to love and raise. To carry out this good work God has given me to do, I must learn to not resent the mess of fruitfulness.
My boys truly have fantastic personalities, and I’m thankful for the many ways they make me laugh (in the midst of simultaneously making me want to pull my hair out some days)!
After one semester of homeschooling my oldest, I see both the benefits and the challenges.
By nature, I’m a maker rather than a manager. I’m starting to see that this is one reason the logistics of managing a large household can feel exhausting.
Creative work requires quiet time and contemplation. I often feel short on this kind of time as my life is pretty loud and chaotic. The Lord is teaching me that the answer is not always more “quiet time” but, rather, learning to commune with him in the chaos—a place where he is happy to meet me.
God is always a faithful provider, even when I’m fickle and faithless.
Sleep is really, really important.
My husband endured with me through some hard days this year—some days when I wasn’t the easiest to love. He’s a good one.
I need to get better at play.
Salvation is of the Lord. This seems really basic (like, duh!), but it’s easy to function as if people’s “okay-ness” depends on me. It’s easy to think that if I just say or do everything right my children will come to faith. There is peace (and humility) in remembering that God alone saves.
Without Christ, we must concede that Solomon is right. Life is futile. All is vanity. But in Christ every part of life is “shot through with sacred purpose” (to borrow a phrase from Every Moment Holy). Christ alone is the one who satisfies the human soul, the only one who restores our true identity and gives our lives and work purpose and meaning. When all of life is in Christ and for Christ, we can endure to the end.
