by Serena Robles – Sunday, December 30, 2012
When I was little, adults used to tell me: “Just wait until you get older, the years start to go by faster than you think!” Being a little kid and forced to sit through hours of school, fighting off days of boredom, counting down to special occasions like my birthday, Halloween, Christmas, etc., I thought adults were crazy. Then I got older and I realized how right they are. It seems like it was only yesterday I was watching The Ball drop on television with my mom, and suddenly I’m preparing to welcome in 2013! It’s nuts! So much as happened in the span of 365 days that it’s hard to watch it come to an end.
Looking back at this past year, I am so amazed by how much God has blessed me. I can quite honestly say that 2012 has been the year I have spiritually grown the most. I have learned to trust God with everything, and when I write “everything” I really mean everything - from living situations and finances to relationships and everything else in between. It has been a year filled with growth, learning, laughter, tears, gains, losses, and so much more. Also, I happened to survive the end of the world which is a pretty big deal, I think (hopefully you’re not too tired of end-of-the-world jokes)! Yet the time has come for 2012 to make room for 2013, and after this amazing year, I am excited to see what God has in store!
Since 2011, New Year’s has become a big deal for me. It was on January 1, 2011 at 2 AM when God told me I would be coming to NU. As the clock struck 12 AM that new night, amidst hugging and wishing friends “happy new year” I said an easy prayer along these lines: “God, I dedicate this year to You. My life is in Your hands, wherever You send me, I’ll go,” and boy, He made sure I kept my word! From that moment on, I began preparing for NU (after much prayer, fighting, and fears) only to learn that once I got here, I would live 2 of the best years of my life! To this day, I am so glad God made me keep my promise to Him that I would go anywhere—leading me to NU.
Finally, I am not one for making “New Year’s Resolutions” such as go to the gym or call home more, or whatever. I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep. However, for 2013, I might make an exception. I want 2013 to be a year where I live intentionally. I want this year to be a time in which every action I take has meaning and I live to my fullest. I realize time is such a fleeting thing and I don’t want to look back on my years and think “oh man, I sure wasted time doing pointless things”. Instead, I want to look back at 2013 and see that I lived every moment for God, serving and learning at NU and in Seattle, laughing and enjoying friendships, and ultimately loving life and the people that surround me by God’s grace.
2012 was a wonderful year; I pray 2013 is just as good.
Happy New Year!
Serena Robles is a Christ-following, book-reading, San Diego grown/Seattle dwelling Psychology major at NU! She’s often found talking to homeless people or dreaming up adventuresome shenanigans. You can peruse her Twitter/Instagram @Serena_Lan
Serena Robles is a Christ-following, book-reading, San Diego grown/Seattle dwelling Psychology major at NU! She’s often found talking to homeless people or dreaming up adventuresome shenanigans. You can peruse her Twitter/Instagram @Serena_Lan.
Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2012 by Serena Robles
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