I’ve read quite a few “end of decade” reflections over the last few days. Although I had some intentional reflection time throughout the month of December, it never occurred to me to try and capture my major milestones over the last 10 years. Too much has happened for me to create a list, but I will attempt to provide a thoughtful summary of where I was in 2010 and where I believe I am headed today. 

2010 started out as most of my years have for quite some time. I was focused on a laundry list of personal and professional goals. By all accounts, I was well on my way. Life was looking good and I was pleased. I ended that year in South Africa getting ready for new adventures in 2011. But 2011 ended with a major life curve ball and I found myself on bed rest through the beginning of the following year. 2012 was probably the hardest year of my life! I felt challenged from every angle and not sure of where to turn. Even when I thought I’d found my head above water, I was drowning again shortly thereafter. In the midst of the pain, confusion, doubt, worry and fear, I refound the path I believe was in God’s will for my life. I ended 2012 in seminary (NEVER my plan) and thinking about doctoral programs. 2013 to 2016 are a bit of a blur. I retreated from much of the world, with the exception of my mom and close friends. I had a laser focus on school and setting myself up for whatever was next. I met some amazing people, traveled, presented at professional conferences, managed to co-author a few publications, taught on college campuses and in a maximum security prison, volunteered, searched endlessly for me, started doing consulting work, and dabbled in a few other entrepreneurial endeavors. You can read about much of this in my previous blog posts. 2017 brought new promise. I finished my doctorate program and relocated to start my faculty appointment. The next year and a half were one big mash-up of me excelling in my professional work, but slowly dying spiritually. By the end of 2018, my life represented something so far from anywhere I’ve ever been. BUT GOD! In 2019 I left for a reassignment in the U.K. This trip changed every single facet of my life. Not one area was untouched. For six months I had the time, space, stillness and felt presence of the Holy Spirit to sit me down, help me come face to face with my mess, seek forgiveness, repent and change my path as I prepared to return home to the U.S. My transition home during the summer and fall of 2019 was bumpy to say the least, but also filled with incredible bouts of joy as I nurtured former and fostered new friendships, found a church home and became actively engaged with serving, and re-acquainted myself with the long forgotten practice of having healthy boundaries in every area of my life. So that’s it … that’s my 10-year reflection :-). I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Like many of you, I started the decade in one age group and ended in another. But 40 has been good to me. I can say I literally have a NEW life. Yes, I have to stretch more. I need more sleep and don’t have a desire for late nights out. I am more mindful of what I eat and how I spend my money. I see new value in my family and want to spend as much time with them as I can. And I have a new appreciation for treasured friendships. Work has become a part of my life instead of where I anchored my time, as well as my identity. My faith walk has become a full-time journey versus what I do on any one day of the week or what I do at all … it now focuses on who I am and who I believe God is calling me to be. New things excite me … a hot cup of tea; a great cup of coffee; traveling to a new place (domestic or international); devouring a good book; journaling; spending time with our Women’s Connect Group; participating in small group studies; nurturing relationships with other women who are seeking a deeper relationship with Christ; quiet time at home; snuggles with my favorite little cousin; and spending time with my mom. Things have changed. Life has changed. I have grown.

If you’re interested, I am sure there are a plethora of lists throughout my blog (starting in 2012) that detail what I did or wanted to do. But for this post, I think the most important thing is that in 2019 – at the end of a decade (according to who you ask :-)) – I re-met Christ and He changed my entire life. For this, I am incredibly grateful.