To say that 2017 was a hard year for me would be quite an understatement. I’ve suffered loss and heartache. I’ve been overwhelmed with school. I’ve been overwhelmed, too, with rearing a three-year-old. It’s been rough, to say the least. 

Quiet Moments

There’ve been moments after tears and wrestling and pleading when I’ve stood emotionally drained and broken before the Lord, spent. “Lord, I’m Yours. I lay this at Your feet.”

It was in those quiet, surrendered moments that I felt His presence. When I could not take one more minute, He was there. He was in the darkest of places with me. He went with me where no one else dared. He wrapped me in love and peace. 

The truth is, He never left me (Deut. 31:8). When I felt I couldn’t go on, He said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” In my weakness, He was strong (2 Cor. 12:9). He said, “I will supply all your needs” (Phil. 4:19). When I could do no more, He was there. He still holds me tight and His love is unconditional.

So even in those dark places, I’ve had joy and peace. Joy, knowing I wasn’t going it alone. Peace, knowing I did what God asked of me. It didn’t make anything easy, but it did make it manageable. 

The Reason for the Season

Then there was the recent shopping and the hectic preparations for Christmas. It was great just to slow down and enjoy a few days, contemplating the real reason we celebrate: Jesus.

Even my three-year-old was able to understand. “Mommy, is it my birthday?” “No, baby.” “Is it Jesus’ birthday?” “Yes, it is.” “God sent Jesus for us.” “Yes, He did, honey.”

For all the heartache and frustration and loss that 2017 brought us, we have hope for 2018 because of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus came that we might have life abundantly. (John 10:10).

We have valleys and peaks. We weren’t meant to stay in the valleys. We’re meant to climb to the peaks and enjoy abundant life that only Christ can provide.

I have held onto Him at times because I had nothing else. I now hold onto Him because He’s everything I need. He alone was, and is, my saving grace. He has given me grace to bear what He has allowed. He alone has made me whole and brought me peace.

So here’s my hope for 2018. It’s the hope that I will walk through the valleys with God and climb to the peaks in victory. It’s the hope that my peaks will outnumber my valleys. That I will hold onto God with all that I have. That I can teach my son to do the same. But if I must walk through a few valleys in 2018, I know that Jesus will be right there with me — just as He was in 2017.