2014.

2014, a look back. 

2014 was the first year I had to spend my birthday away from family. People I've met here tells me that they're sorry that I couldn't go home to spend Christmas with my family, that it must be hard for me, but Christmas isn't that hard to be away from home. Birthdays are. I've always spent my birthdays with family for 19 years of my life, it was hard to not have them by my side on my 20th earlier this year. It was different, and sometimes, different is the best you could get. It did snow on my birthday, for the first time that winter, which made it magical, but silly me, to sleep in that day because it was the only day I didn't have any morning class and missed the snow. (Safe to say, that I probably won't be sleeping in on my birthday in 2015.. ;) )

2014 was when I realise that my decision to study away from home came with a sacrifice of not being able to build firm friendship with people. It was the mixed feelings of joy and sadness to see them go through each milestone, to see and hear about their growth, but not being able to be a part of that process.

Sacrifice.

2014 was when I started to understand that nothing will be of my own strength or personal patience, but yet by God's strength and His grace that allowed me to persevere through. This year was when I was reminded that any kind of work done for the gospel will never be in vain. That in the end, God be glorified. Not me. 

2014 was when I begin reminding and preaching the gospel to myself, especially when I feel like I don't have time for it, because that's when I need it most. I started taking baby steps to see that stress and worries shouldn't exists because when you look towards the Cross of Christ, you see your biggest problem, the biggest thing that you should be worrying and stressing about - my sin - conquered, destroyed, forgiven because of a loving God, an obedient Son. And for that, by God's grace, I will be forever thankful and reminded of it. 

2014 was when I was reminded that I'm no better than people I meet everywhere, I am still a sinner that had somehow, in some, curious, mysterious, but yet, also miraculous and glorious way received God's grace upon my life as well. 

2014 was when I lived in my head. I've always lived in my head a lot, but this year, I've been doing that more than before. Maybe it's the huge amount of alone time I have, it helps in me being more reflective, but sometimes, the silence alone becomes too comfortable, too addictive.

2014 was when I learnt how to work with others. I learnt that the primary focus is Jesus being taught, His ministry, His life, Hid death, His resurrection. As the gospel is being taught, everything else is secondary to uniting believers in faith. 

2014 was when I started to learn how to build genuine relationships, to open up myself to be shot down, and how to communicate more effectively. That while I struggle, I find myself being more and more dependent on God, knowing that I am nothing without Christ. 

Most of the year, I've spent focused on the gospel, on growing my faith, but in the past few months, I've been learning about unity between believers, all for the sake of the gospel. I've been learning the importance of support from other believers, and how encouragement and edifying words to each other is very much needed in the Christian life. I have been given opportunities to, in some ways, put what I've learnt in my head, into practice. It definitely wasn't easy to do, takes more patience than I had imagined,but God's mercies are renewed everyday, the joy of knowing His love and goodness for me brings indescribable passion to see the Word of God being preached.

2014 has been a year indeed. Many times, I think of what would've been or could've been if ____. But yet, I have been placed in where I am for a reason, and I am thankful for all that God had provided for me. It may not have been the most "ideal" situation, but I have learnt so much from being in these "non-ideal" situations, and I don't think I would have it any other way.

2014, I grew,
physically - a little bit chubbier before the summer;
academically - made it to second year of my degree;
mentally - feeling a tad bit wiser now than I was earlier this year.. ;
spiritually - Definitely learnt a lot and matured a little in my thinking.

Here's to 2015, I'm excited to see what the New Year brings.

Hannah