A 2023 Reflection:

Something about this season in my life feels like home. Each day unravels a new page of self-discovery, each carrying glimpses of my future and gently burying painful pages of my past. The Author of it all seamlessly connects each chapter with excellency and grace, developing my character in extraordinary ways.

I’m forever in awe of His writing, the brilliance of His storytelling. No plot detail is ever without purpose, nor idiosyncrasy without intention. The creativity of it all is truly outstanding.

It took months to settle into my new age. It’s the last year of a decade well spent, traveling the world and chasing my dreams. Yet, all I could focus on for the first quarter of it is what I don’t have. Go figure.

Here I stand, arrived at several answered prayers, thriving in multiple miracles. Still, somewhere within the abundance of hope and exponential growth in faith I’ve accumulated in this chapter of my life, I managed to temporarily misplace my gratitude. She seems to go missing every now and again.

Miraculously, we always find our way back to each other, eventually. There’s no way the story could possibly continue without her. Thankfully though, she’s never gone for too long, and she always returns bearing generous gifts of joy and peace. I love that about her nature.

When I first started blogging it was purely for freedom of expression. I wanted a place to call my own and share my story, my thoughts and my perspective in full form. In this season, I’ve developed a special appreciation for the challenging circumstances that led me to want to create a space to share my story, truthfully and limitlessly.

Starting Thoughtful Gems unleashed something I hadn’t realized was there all along, dwelling within the depths of my creative capacity. This seed has been a Heaven-sent blessing, hidden in plain sight. A gift well worth the wait to unwrap, nurture and harvest.

I’ve adopted the perspective that the things we’ve been told all our lives are flaws may well be our greatest strengths. Things aren’t always what they appear to be. And gifts, no matter how strange they may appear from the outside, are meant to be unwrapped.

All the pieces of my life story are coming together so seamlessly. The vision I’ve imagined my entire life is on the horizon. In fact, it’s here right now. The little girl who always believed there was purpose in life’s most painful experiences, and that there was unimaginable joy awaiting her on the other side of overcoming them all, was right.

My New Year’s intention for 2023 was to get to know God more. He heard that. He fulfilled that. And this has been the most beautiful year of my life by far, getting to know Him better through His Word. My one-year Bible plan has been a life-changing experience.  

No wonder I’ve developed an affinity for watching sunsets at the park. The sun is setting on my old life. Both sunsets and nature leave me in awe of God’s creative mind. So many moments spent in sheer appreciation of His work have felt like love letters from Heaven. I look up to the sky and I’m reminded that beyond this life …there’s eternity.

That joy-filled promise illuminates the path set before me. I don’t know exactly where Jesus is guiding the trail of this journey. But I trust Him, and I enjoy watching the view get brighter and even more beautiful each day. This life itself is a gift.

Years ago, I couldn’t shake the feeling that, as painful as it was to experience, failure was a set up for an even greater testimony. I just… knew. Just like the little girl who believed one day her life story would be extraordinary, I too have faith in our future. This entire time God has been leading us into something far beyond what our minds could ever ask, think, or imagine.

Just the thought of all that’s happened, and all that’s yet to come, gives me chills. The excellency in His execution is indescribable. And, through His grace, guidance and provision, this story will one day soon be told.

Metamorphosis: (noun) a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.

Oxford Dictionary

If 2023 were a love story, I’d call it Yahweh.

Because He is love.

My soul, redeemed.

My life, transformed.

A decade ending.

A new one beginning.

Trust, ever-expanding.

Intimacy, increasing.

My testimony, unfolding.

My medical degree, loading.

2024, I welcome you with an open, healed heart.

2023, thank you.

For everything.