I have typed and deleted and typed and deleted over and over and over tonight. I have so many stories to tell about this past year, but nothing seems right after I put it in words.
2016 will go down in Brogdon history as the year that tried to conquer us. From beginning to end, it has been a very difficult year for our entire family. We have journeyed through job loss and uprooting our family - against our greatest desire - to move to a new state. We have navigated situations and circumstances that will probably never be told publicly but have been incredibly dark days. As a result, we are still walking through grief, anger, bitterness, depression, severe anxiety, fear, and sadness. It has been an extremely long, hard year.
I saw a sign the other day that read "There is always, always, always something to be thankful for." A year ago, I would have smiled and said "Yes! Preach it, Mr. (or Mrs.) sign-maker!" But the other day I read it and said to myself "Really? Always? Nope." If I'm honest, that's how my attitude has been more often than not this year. Many times, I have refused to acknowledge that I have anything to be grateful for. But that day, after I thought about the sign for a while, I realized that even in the midst of suffering, even in the dark days, not only can I find something to be thankful for, but, if I believe what I say I believe, then I should always be giving thanks.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
As God brought that verse to my mind in the middle of Hobby Lobby, I began thinking of things I can be grateful for this year until I was finally able to say "Yes. There is always something to be thankful for." These are just a few of the highlights of my list.
- God provided financially for us the entire time Kyle was without a job.
- Our VA house sold within 2 weeks.
- We found a house quickly in a very aggressive, competitive market.
- God has given us an amazing church and community of friends.
- The dark days are beginning to lift and light is shining through.
The song "Thy Will Be Done" by Hillary Scott has been an anthem for me this year. I can't say it any better, so I'm just copying the lyrics here.
I'm so confused
I know I heard you loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don't wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of your plan
When I try to pray
All I've got is hurt and these four words
Thy will be done
I know you're good
But this don't feel good right now
And I know you think
Of things I could never think about
It's hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you're God
And I am not
So Thy will be done
I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness you have in store
As tough as this year has been, our family knows that God sees us, hears us, loves us, and is good. We are trusting Him to redeem the hurt and dark places and bring joy. He is the only reason for our hope. We enter 2017 with eagerness to see what He has in store for our good and for His glory.
With Love,
Kyle, Rebecca, Lucas (16), Noah (15), Jacob (13), & Ellie (11)
