Happy New Year, y’all! I hope everyone had a meaningful Christmas and a fun New Year’s celebration. In case you missed it, this was me on New Years Eve night, living the rock star life I live.
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As you can also see, I am now 34 weeks pregnant, which means we are counting down the days until Baby Boy #2 arrives! It also means I am LARGE and in charge. People are literally bumping into my belly. Life is crazy but life is fun!
In spite of the madness that has been 2014, I have been humbled to watch my little writing ministry grow. So many of you readers found me just this year, and I’m so glad you did! It’s a blessing to hear from you, and what God is doing in your own lives.
In honor of you all–both new and long-time readers alike–I am so pleased to kick off the year with a super fun giveaway. Last week I was contacted by a reader who has an Etsy shop with CUTE Christian jewelry for almost every person imaginable. Even better, she wants to bless TEN lucky readers with a free necklace from her shop!
Isn’t that amazing? I had to say yes!
Her Etsy shop is called the Hymn Drop Shoppe, and to check out all of her inventory just click here. One thing that makes the Hymn Drop Shoppe so great is that they donate a portion of their proceeds to a different charity or family in need each month. This month, they are sponsoring a missionary family in Honduras!
For this giveaway, winners will have the option of three different necklace styles, pictured to the right. The winners will be able to pick the phrase and the metal of their choice. I personally love the “Consider the birds” necklace–such an important reminder for a control freak like myself.
To enter for a chance to win, simply leave a comment below sharing one thing God taught you in 2014. I really do love to hear what God is doing and moving in your own lives, so I can’t wait to read what you share!
Then, next Wednesday (January 14) I will draw TEN names, and contact you to find out your choice of necklace.
Special thanks to Brooke from the Hymn Drop Shoppe for helping me to bless you all with such a fun start to the year. I look forward to all that God has in store for us in 2015, and the joy of sharing my own journey with each and every one of you!
Sharon
Sharon
God has taught me, and continues to teach me, to be patient and content with where I am! Not an easy lesson for sure.
Last year the Lord taught me that it’s okay not to be okay. I don’t always have to be strong. I don’t always have to keep on a brave face. Being broken isn’t the end of the world. Sometimes it’s the beginning.
In 2014 God taught me to follow his leading in my heart even when it doesn’t seem to make practical sense.
God taught me in 2014 to stand on what His word says. I am continuously learning how faithful God really is to his children.
I see how ugly my sin is and how much love and grace was shown to me at the cross. This past year I was able to overcome a difficult situations that without God, I never would have been able to. I loved deeply and extend so much grace to another and because of it have grown closer with this person and closer to God.
My verse for 2014 – and now my life! – was Philippians 3:8, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Between graduating from college and not knowing where I would live or work or who my friends would be, the only thing I could lean into was knowing my Savior more. No matter what I think I can boast in, or no matter what my fears, insecurities, shortcomings are, knowing Jesus Christ is worth more, is better, is the only thing that matters.
Love the necklaces! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! And so excited for you to welcome baby #2 soon!
One thing that the Lord impressed on me in 2014 was the importance of needing to TRUST Him, especially when it comes to my kids. A daily struggle. 🙂 Blessings to you for 2015!
He taught me that “He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.” 2014 was one of the hardest years of my life. Through those great difficulties, God continues to bring goodness. I see His hand. I learned so much about surrender this year and to just truly trust in His plan.
As a side note, your blog “Bent” was one of my favorites this year. The challenge to dwell on God’s character (instead of x,y,z) continues to be an area of growth for me into this new year.
Thanks for sharing that, Nina–that idea continues to challenge me too!
In 2014 God taught me to cherish the moment I’m in. This is still an area He is working with me on, but I grew so much in this area this past year.
Learned that God can sustain through the huge ups and downs and pain of walking through the legal process of seeking to adopt a foster child. How He uses His body to encourage, uplift, literally carry through the process.
Last year I learned how faithful God remains even when we are faithless. This has enabled me to say with confidence “It is Well With My Soul!”
Grateful – I’ve learned to be grateful in all situations. 2014 presented a scary medical situation in my life and the unknown was terrifying. But in the midst of terror, God’s presence shown through, removed the terror, and I learned gratefulness no matter what would have happened. But thank God, the situation was benign. But if it wasn’t, God would have still been faithful and I would have still been grateful.
One of the things that God taught me in 2014 was that he is always good and always faithful and so the only way to have a stable foundation is to put all my trust and hope in Him.
God taught me to wait for His timing and to talk to Him (in prayer) about everything–even the littlest things.
I learned in 2014 that the only reason I’m free from the bondage of a certain sin is because there is power in the blood of Jesus… And the only reason I can continue to be set free in 2015 is because of that same power. What a merciful, forgiving God we serve that’s full of grace….
God has taught me that I am to “continually offer to Him a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” He’s taught me to learn how to be thankful in ALL circumstances, even if that’s seasons of darkness because I know He’s ultimately drawing me to Himself.
In 2014, God taught me that the gifts He has given me can still become idols and I have to be alert and conscious of always putting HIM first!
That my job is to be faithful in ministry, whether it’s writing, music, working, tweeting, geeking out to sci-fi, or loving my husband and kids.
God taught me last year that I am more than a conquer because of the sacfrice that Christ made and his spirit that dwells within me. I have victory over all things because I belong to God. Therefore I can be victorious for his kingdom.
I learned that I’m learning and that’s okay. I’m making mistakes and failing a lot and that there’s grace!
In 2014 God showed me that He is faithful and still performs miracles. After our 2nd girl was born, I had three consecutive miscarriages (2013). We welcomed baby Judson on September 20, 2014. He is a reminder to me that God is the giver of good gifts and is not limited by anything. All praise to Him!
Thankful for your blog, Sharon.
My wife, Susie, and I moved to Nashville in September of 2013 three months after getting married and graduating college. We’d never been to Nashville before. We’d never worked adult jobs before. Being from the same hometown, we’d never lived 7 hrs away from family before.
This past year was our first full year on our own, as a married couple, as adults, doing our own thing in a still somewhat foreign place. With new jobs and few friends, we found ourselves discontent more often than either of us would like to admit.
But thankfully, by his grace, the Lord taught me (and both of us, I think) that contentment and joy is found in him. Obviously, we know this, most Christians do, but the Lord really reminded us of that this year.
God has taught me that He is faithful. When life is uncertain and seems to be spinning out of control- God isn’t. What He is, is in control, ever present, and faithful.
Thanks for your writing- it is such an encouragement!
God has taught me that love is patient.
God has taught me how much he loves me. Truly. Its been a beautiful lesson. And I love him back 🙂
In 2014 God taught me to trust in him. I am learning to let God be in control.
In 2014, God taught me patience and to make sure to love every single person that i happen to encounter and interact with in my whole life.
god taught me to help out other that are in need!
In 2014, God reminded me who is in control (although my 3-year old and I often tried really hard to take that top spot!) and trust in him.
In 2014, I became a mother to the most beautiful little girl. God has shown me humility and love in ways that I never knew. I pray that my knowledge of His love grows deeper, and I am able to love like Him more and more.
Last year God taught me this – “You are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
Blessings!
I just read your article on Christianity Today and looked up your website. God has taught me that he is everywhere in the world, even the places that seem forsaken.
I just drew 10 names, so if you are a winner you will hear from me tonight! Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone for stopping by and sharing what God taught you in 2014. I really loved hearing about your lives!
See you in 2015!