Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
- James 1:2-4 -
2019. A year packed full of emotion and change.
ME – The biggest change of this year has been in me. I have
never felt so much closer to God than I have this year. Does that mean life has
been a piece of cake? No. In fact, it’s been maybe the opposite as far as
emotions go. The enemy has a way of knowing what buttons to push when you place
a stronger focus on God. But, man, I have grown so deep in Word and worship of God.
One reason for this is attending my church’s Tuesday night service called Kairos.
I leave each week so renewed and refreshed, but equally challenged and
worship-filled. Another reason for this is counseling. This May, I went back to
counseling, but this time from a biblical counseling perspective. My counselor
is who I prayed and asked God to give me – not by name, but by life experience
and background. She has been a literal God-send to my life and speaks and shows
me His truth each session. These are by no means fixes to anxiety or heartache
or frustration, Jesus is the only one who can truly heal us and it’s up to us
to begin and continue that with Him, but these things have been the
encouragement I have needed this year to jump-start the change in me.
FAMILY – My baby sister, Lauren, got engaged this year and
we have begun all the preparation for a 2020 wedding! Bobby is so kind and loves
Lauren and we are excited to welcome him into our family. Plus, we are excited
to join together with his family who are the dearest people you will ever meet.
2020 will be a huge year of change for the Young family as Lauren becomes a
Keating, but we are excited for her and Bobby as they start their lives
together!
CHURCH – Again, if you know me, you know besides home and
work, there is a 90% probability I am at the church. Gosh, I love worshiping
and serving at Brentwood Baptist. From teaching 5th grade to
teaching kids about missions to Kairos to speaking in the main worship services
at Advent, I feel so at home at Brentwood. The individuals I get to serve with
make it all the richer!
WORK – A lot has changed here too. God sent us Dr. Ronnie
Floyd this April to be the new leader of the organization where I work (SBC
Executive Committee…EC). With that God has sent new leaders to our
organization/work family. The person who hired me at the EC retired in the fall
and I was given the option of joining a new team with new added responsibilities.
The feeling of this work being one of my ministry callings has never been
stronger than it has this year…and gosh, I thought it was already pretty strong!
I’m eager and excited to begin a new year at the EC, ready to serve alongside
my work family, use my gifts and talents for the Kingdom, and serve Southern
Baptists.
LOOKING BACK - Honestly, this wasn’t the easiest year. No
matter how you slice it, change is change and it comes with its victories and
challenges. That doesn’t mean I’ll look back on this year and hate it. No, I’ll
look back on this year with gratefulness of all that God did in, through, and
around me. Typically, when I write these type of posts, I will encapsulate the
year with a word. I think the word for this year is SHIFT. 2019 brought a lot
of {positive} shifting in my thinking, my emotions, and my spiritual, family,
and work life. This shifting will lead to even greater steps, I think, in 2020.
It’s my prayer that as this new year dawns, I shift towards a deep renewal in
myself and in my Creator and Savior.
Thanks friends for your love, encouragement, and prayers
this past year! May 2020 bring you the renewal you need in your life, as well!
