Anyone who knows me...i mean truly KNOWS me, knows this past year has been unusually difficult for me. I have faced some never before experienced obstacles, and I have been forced to do somethings I never thought I would have to do or be capable of doing.
Life is tumultuous, it rises and falls with more intensity than the tides in the midst of a hurricane. It pushes and pulls at your very core and can sometimes rattle your very foundation. But I have discovered that my foundation is LIFE proof, and though it may rock and shift at times, it never gives way under the weight of life. I guess I should have known better, considering my foundation was built by the MASTER builder!
I have a renewed faith in people and ideal that all things work out for the good of GOD. I can honestly, truly & fully believe in the mantra tattooed on my wrist "By God's grace, all will be well". I know that regardless of circumstance that I will be guarded and protected, & that God has placed people in my life that will not allow me to fall by the wayside unless that is my choosing. I have found that those who I never expected to be around, or be supportive have actually been the MOST supportive and I have also come to realize that patience is a VIRTUE and that unwavering faith will get you much further than worry.
I am thankful for LOVE...I have seen another one of my tattoos in full fledged action over the past 7 months. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." ~1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
I am thankful for friends...people who were enemies and have now become some of my best friends. It's strange how people from opposing angles can unite and find common bonds that are stronger than those you have with people who have never been "enemies". I have never been one to have a lot of friends, so to actually have people who invite me to go places and include me on the regular basis is VERY significant to me, and for that I am truly appreciative.
I am eternally thankful for FAMILY...family includes anyone who by blood, marriage or circumstance share some kind of familial bond with you. I have found that blood is ALWAYS thicker than water and that when I have hit rock bottom that my family with support me and talk me down off the water tower & convince me to put away my rifle. Not because that's what I need to hear, but because it is the right thing to do. And contrary to what some may believe they don't tell me what I WANT to hear and they don't just go along with what I say because I said it...they tell me what I NEED to hear (primarily to keep me from hurting, harming or maiming others). And when I cry they comfort me & when I FUCK up they discipline me.
I am thankful for truth...because despite the fact that some tried to besmirch my character and my name this year, I have triumphed over those false accusations. I did not lose my job, and regardless of this person's best efforts it actually drew me closer to the person I believe they were trying to push me furthest from.
All in all, it has been a year of reflection...a year of gained perspective...and a year of life lessons. I am grateful for all of it, even though it was very challenging at times, I know that it has all been for a greater reason, even if I don't know what that reason is yet!
