The year 2024 has unquestionably been one of the most difficult years of my life. Alongside the struggles of being without full-time work, I experienced the heartbreak of going through pre-engagement counseling at my church, only to endure another breakup. To make matters worse, I’m still grappling with what happened at my previous job, despite giving my all to hold onto it. Last but not least, the tooth that I had a root canal got reinfected twice and now is fractured. I realized recently that I thought that if my circumstances changed, then I would be happy. Lydia Brownback’s Fine China Is For Single Women Too explains that wanting different circumstances does not cultivate a “right view of reality” because it is often “trading one set of problems for another.” She says this in the context of singleness vs. marriage where a single person can wake up whenever they want but a husband with kids has to spend every waking hour taking care of his family. I’m sure this applies to other areas of life as well. I always thought a change of circumstances would make me happy. However, as a consequence, it was hard to enjoy what God had already given me and be content. Recently, I read Psalms 69 and what stood out to me is how much God is pleased when we are thankful and praise Him.
Psalms 69:30-31
30 “I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.”
Our thanksgiving pleases God more than the animal sacrifices. What’s more interesting is that the sacrifices were used to atone for sins the Israelites committed against God. These last few days, I’ve started appreciating the small things in life such as being able to shower late, getting a good rest, and even sleeping in. I know these small luxuries may not last forever. I believe being thankful to God is helping me fight discontentment. Moreover, it is what God calls us to do and I realize that part of it is for our own good. When we give thanks to God, it helps us to trust and find contentment in him.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I hope that I can continue to be thankful to God for all the simple mercies He has given me this past year as well as in 2025. I pray that I can love Him more than everything this world has to offer and find contentment in Him alone.
Things I’m Thankful For (I’m sure there is so much more if I look closely)
- This year, God has brought many supportive people into my life. Following my breakup, He blessed me with three women who joined me in reading Christian books and offering me encouragement. He also provided me with a new discipler. Additionally, several women shared that they felt God had placed it on their hearts to check in on me. Also, another sister who I could walk along through loss.
- A loving family and a father whose love is a reflection of Christ.
- My relationship with God is closer than before. God has grown my faith this year, teaching me humility and gratitude. That I am complete not with a husband but in Him alone.
- He has taught me a lot through the breakup – that I cannot change people and that I shouldn’t be self-righteous but be able to celebrate the differences because that is how God made us. To be more sacrificial, loving, and selfless.
- God is healing me and teaching me to forgive people who have hurt me in the past. To pray for them.
- God blessed me with a Christian counselor and therapist who is not only firmly rooted in biblical principles but is now available to me at no cost after switching to Rula.
- I was able to go on many vacations this year including in Hawaii, Taiwan, and Japan. This wouldn’t be possible if I had a full-time job.
- I cherished the opportunity to spend meaningful time with my parents, especially after my therapist reminded me that they wouldn’t always be around.
- Good health for me and my family. Overall my, IBS has been much better this year.
- Being able to read 5 Christian books this year.
- God has helped me rediscover my artistic skills by starting a sticker business.
- I’m grateful to have a house in Texas with reliable renters and no need for major repairs. This was not the case in the past.
- Ability to live with my parents and not pay rent.
Lastly, I wanted to post this picture because the view is beautiful but also because you wouldn’t know that it is a 398-step climb to see it. Sometimes in life, we have to climb up many staircases to see the beauty God has for us! Happy New Year!
Walking Not By Sight 