A look back at 2013

Where should I begin? I suppose I will start with this summer. A close friend of mine came back home for the summer after having had been away for the year. We were out one evening having coffee, catching up and in our conversation, she asked me to list my top 10 highlights of this past year (summer 2012- summer 2013). This simple yet insightful question allowed me to do a little bit of “soul searching”, and I will share with you some of those discoveries. It’s been a roller coaster ride, there were many high and low moments, but all so vital.

First, I would have to say, one of the major highlights of the year, were my travels. I have been so blessed to have been able to travel to Australia/ New Zealand and to Bolivia. These trips allowed me to not only experience new things and adventures, but in both trips, they affirmed God’s continual presence and provision in my life and the lives around me. I know it sounds cheesy, but I had some of the best moments of life on those trips. I saw God’s creation so intimately- barrier reefs full of fishes, turtles and living things, unforgettable sunsets and skies lit with stars, cyclones and wild grass fires. So many times, I felt what I saw was so surreal. The people, I met and traveled with, were in itself an experience; I shared with them moments of happiness, excitement, but sometimes moments of uncertainty and difficulty. Those times, I learned to cope, to work and live together; it created and strengthened our bonds of friendship. 

Work would be another highlight. After the first year and half of rookie nursing experiences, this past year, I have had the opportunities to nurse beyond the machines, beyond the science and health, but rather the patients and families themselves- seeing them as holistic beings. A couple challenging shifts, and in one particular instance, I have come to learn that what I do as a nurse is privilege and opportunity to show others compassion and empathy. But, even more importantly, I realized that God has placed me right where I am every day to do His work- to show others His love for them, whether they are my patients or families, or colleagues; I only need to be willing to let Him work through me. I am also grateful that I can be involved this past year as bedside nurse in different capacities, for instance being part of professional committees and a focus group. It was challenging and continues to be, but I am glad and thankful that I am also learning and growing professionally. 

Relationships. This past year, I have seen and experience with my friends and my parents highs and lows of their relationships. I seen a close friend get engaged and married. Being part of their celebrations were incredibly joyful – seeing two people committing their lives for one another, in union with Christ Jesus and then start their life together. But then at the same time, also being with those in the lows of their relationships, supporting them through those seasons has also been opportunities that God has given me and I am grateful for that. God has taught me a lot about relationships; what it means to “work” at relationships, but also more specifically how relationships can only truly be realized when both know Christ, for He taught us and showed us unconditional love first. 

These are only some of the big lessons God has graciously taught me this past year 2013. It wasn’t without pains or tears, in fact, there were many moments of such, but God continues to be faithful despite my shortcomings. He’s answered many of my prayers and continues to. A Bible verse I want to share with you comes from Hebrews 12:1-2. Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand throne of God. So, as we look ahead to another year – this is the true resolution, let’s keep on running, not aimlessly but focused on Jesus.