What Will Your New Year Bring?

It's hard to believe it's the start of a New Year.

2024.

Time has seemed to fly and slow down all at once.

This time last year I was still in the thick of the grief and shame of my abortion.

I didn't see a way out.

I was surviving day by day.

I wish I could tell people that after going through hard times things will go back to normal. And that's just it, normal becomes different. Whether self-imposed or something that happened to you, you see the world, and self in a different light.

I can't promise things will go back to normal. I can tell you that God won't leave you hanging. That with Him, seeing the light is possible. That coming back from whatever broke you is possible.

That journey isn't always easy it's filled with work, pain, unknown, and uncertainty. It's filled with learning how to lean into the Lord fully.

Letting go of what you want and surrendering to His will. Of stepping into the unknown of what the Lord has for you.

Last year, I was just beginning my journey toward healing, forgiveness, and freedom.

I had found hope in a post-abortive Bible study. I had found companionship with a fellow post-abortive woman and dipped my toes into a whole new calling.

This road hasn't been easy.

It's been so challenging and painful at times.

Some of my hardest challenges of 2023 were telling my family and close friends about my abortion.

Hoping and praying that somehow I could share my story and testimony with others.

Learning how to get uncomfortable with speaking publically.

Working through my shame, guilt, regret, and grief.

I don't know what 2024 will hold for me.

I know it's going to continue to be full of growth and stretching.

I have a feeling that this year is one where I'll have to face my deepest fears, dealing with those who live in my hometown finding out about my abortion.

It's already happened and it wasn't even in the New Year.

While I haven't personally had the chance to speak with these individuals about my abortion, I know facing my fears of people who have known me my entire life will be one of the hardest.

I cling to the hope and identity I have in Christ.

Knowing and believing that I am set free.

That I am forgiven.

That I am loved and worthy.

That I am not condemned because of what I have done.

That the Lord does not hold my sins against me.

That no matter what people might think or say of me, it's what God thinks and sees me as that's most important.

I am His child and He loves me so very much!

If you are walking into this New Year full of uncertainty, worried about what others might think or say, rest knowing that the creator of the universe loves you! That He thinks you're worthy! That He would have gone to that cross over and over again so that you might be free!

I hope the 2024 year is full of confronting and facing my fears.

Man, maybe I shouldn't say that because I know that the Lord might just make me do that.

I pray this New Year is full of growth and stretching.

I pray it's a year of stepping out and confronting your fears.

A year of leaning more fully on Him.