What 2018 has taught me

The year is coming to a close and amongst the festivities and hopes for 2019, I think it’s important for me to look back over the past twelve months. Not only to give myself a pat on the back, as we all deserve one of those for getting through another year, but to take a look at the lessons I’ve learned before I start to jump head first into what I hope 2019 will be like. It’s always a huge mixture of feelings for me towards the end of a year. My December workload tends to be over the top and I start to panic to fit everything in. I then realise I haven’t done the basic Christmas list items such as cards, presents, clothes, among others. So not only do I want to see what lessons 2018 has taught me, I want to sit back, take a deep breath and allow myself this time to look back over a successful year before we’re celebrating the start of the next! So much to be thankful for Life is great and I really do have an abundance to be thankful for. For a safe warm place to live, for friends and family that offer me unconditional support and love and a job that leaves me feeling fulfilled and encouraged to achieve more. This doesn’t mean I had it all together. We all experience a rollercoaster of emotions and nothing should ever undermine the way we feel in that moment, but perspective is always a beautiful thing. One thing I’ve done this year that I would like to give myself time to do even more so in the next, is to have a brief moment at the end of a day to think about what I’m grateful for. Even the most basic of things can lift you up and make you realise just how great life is and it has encouraged me more than ever to give my time, love and support where there is need. Create time for loved ones I think 2018 has shown me to value my spare time and moments I spend with my family and friends even more. My year 2018 has been as busy as never before and sometimes time was getting over me. It hurts to miss special moments in your children’s lives; like birthdays. To miss their games at schools. Children love having their parents around at their school functions. They get excited at going for a swimming with us. We make their day when we converse them about changes in their lives. And when we giggle and laugh over small things together. As parents our children see us as their number one cheerleaders. God still reigns Like everyone else, I experienced a few ups and downs in 2018. But one thing I remain thankful is the hand of God over every situation I encountered. I learned that worship is a powerful warfare weapon. And of course I also learned that All things work together for good…(Romans 8:28). Above all, God is a covenant-keeping God. Individually, we must know our covenant rights. I am praying for you that your faith will not fail. Facebook/Instagram: Yvonne Tshepang Mooka Twitter: @yvonnemooka Email: [email protected]