highlight(s) of 2012

if there was one word i could use to describe 2012, it would be blessed.

i know its cliche, but it's true. I've had my ups and downs this year. i've been through some really difficult  trials and some of the most life changing moments of my life.

i would say one of the most life changing moments of my year was a week i spent at lake ann camp in Michigan. i was on reborne rangers, and it was a tuesday night. we were getting ready watch some sort of louie giglio movie when one of the camps worship guys came through the welcome center. we asked  him to play a few songs for us, and he did. i didnt know any of them, so i felt a little awkward. but in between songs, a friend of mine spoke up with tears in his eyes, asking us if we could pray for the family of a kid that he knew who had just taken his own life. it was life changing.

it started off with one prayer, and went on and on. some of us prayed for 20 seconds, some prayed for 2 minutes. through that time of prayer, God moved through me like i have never felt before. ever. i was headed down a path that would eventually lead to my own destruction, and God reached out to me that night. he basically told me (not audibly, though that would be pretty sweet) but through everybody else that i needed to take a good look at myself and where my life was headed. that night i learned how important it is to keep a good relationship with God because thats not where I was. He woke me up that night. i was dead, but now i'm alive.

this year i learned to give Jesus the handlebars. since then i've hit a few rough patches, but i always go back to that night. giving your life to Jesus is not easy. it's really not that pleasant either. there are a lot of things that i've had to do that i wouldn't think i would have done. i always thought christians were crazy, but now i know they're just living for something that's worth it. its not easy. its not pleasant. its not even simple. but its worth it.

my adventure with Jesus is something better than i could have ever made my own life. he is my hope, my salvation, my father, and my best friend. i'd like to say my relationship with him is good, but i fail him every day. i'm thankful for a God who is always there with arms wide open. i'm thankful for a God who doesn't judge us by how well we follow the rules and regulations, but has an endless supply of grace. i'm thankful for the person He has made me. i'm thankful for the people he's put in my life to help me along. i'm thankful that i will never be alone. i am thankful and i am blessed.

that was my 2012, and i'm excited to see what 2013 has in store.

"the Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" - psalm 34:18