On my birthday I like to look back at the year that has passed and think about what big events happened in my life that year and what I learned from them. Some good, some bad, but I always learn something and feel like I’ve grown since the year before. (And I don’t mean my belly.) Three major things come to mind for this year: A broken relationship, the death of my grandmother and my first pregnancy.
Without going into details about the broken relationship, I definitely know that God has taught me much from it and grown me through it in many ways. The issue happened one year ago to the day, on my 27th birthday. Over the past year I have studied and learned the principal of forgiveness like never before. I’ve really been able to wrap my mind around the fact that, if Jesus forgave all my sins against Him, how could I not forgive someone’s sins against me? It has taken me about a year to get to the point of forgiveness, and God still works on me daily, but the journey, though very rough, has taught me so much that I actually can say now that, “It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.” – Psalm 119:11
My grandmother went downhill pretty fast before she died. And for the first time in my life, I watched someone die. She passed away just four days before Christmas. Though this Christmas was kind of tough for my family, it was a wonderful comfort knowing that my grandmother was well and at peace, spending Christmas with her Savior. I loved her and I miss her every day, but I know that I will see her again.
About a month after my grandmother died is when I found out I was pregnant. It was a bit of a shock and I will never forget staring at that pregnancy test and feeling like it wasn’t real. My pregnancy has been like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It has been a wonderful blessing from God and I cannot wait to see my little boy in just two months. This is such a new thing for Matthew and myself and though things have been pretty hectic over the past few months, I can’t help but be overwhelmed every day with the thought of God’s goodness, love and mercy.
One of God’s great blessings to me are the people He has put in my life. I don’t know where I would be without my wonderful husband, Matthew. He has truly been more than I could ever hope or dream for in a husband and I feel so unworthy and blessed to have him in my life. I cannot wait to experience this next, exciting stage of life with him and to grow old with him. My parents and family have meant so much to me as well. My parents mean more to me than they will ever know and I can’t wait to see them as first-time grandparents. They will be great at it! They have taught me so much over the years and I am learning from them still. What wonderful examples they are. I have some great friends as well. I have old friends and new friends and I love them all. They all play a vital part in my life. Some of them are there to give me a laugh right when I need it most. Some are always fighting the good fight and praying for me. Some are there any time with an ear to listen. They all love me for who I am and I am grateful for that.
So, as I look back on this 28th year of my life I can say, God has been so good to me and I am enormously thankful. I hope I can serve Him well in the year to come.
Love to all,
Lacy
You Have Been Good
If I never get to see another rainbow
Or share another laugh with a friend
If I never stand barefoot by the ocean
Or get to kiss my child goodnight again
If I never have another prayer that's answered
Or have another blessing come my way
If this is all I know of heaven's kindness
Father, I would still have to say
You have been good
You have been good
And I am in wonder how could it be
You have been good
You've been so good
So many ways You've been good to me
You have shown me mercy upon mercy
Grace upon grace, time after time
And I know all too well what I'm deserving
Yet, You are still so patient and kind
You have been good
You have been good
And I am in wonder how could it be
You have been good
You've been so good
So many ways You've been good to me
If suddenly it all were ended
And your mercies disappeared
Looking back over a lifetime
The evidence is clear
You have been good
You have been good
And I am in wonder how could it be
You have been good
You've been so good
So many ways You've been good to me
Scott Krippayne
