This week marks a turning point for me. A year ago yesterday, I gave birth to my sixth child via emergency c-section and began the most difficult year of my life. Looking back I shake my head at all that’s happened, the tears, the struggle, the joys, and praise God alone for carrying me along. I don’t dare believe I’ll never have another crazy difficult year or even that the struggle is over after today, but more I just choose to close the book on the past year. I choose to stop being a victim. I choose to celebrate the victory of making it through, learning, growing, setting aside the regrets and starting again. I guess you’d call it hope restored. A newness only God can grant.  

If I were being honest I’m still currently in the midst of a health mess. But if I’ve learned anything over the last year it’s that God is faithful. He will never leave me or forsake me. Even on the days I feel invisible, forgotten and alone I know He’s there carrying me along.  

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So I celebrate the brown-haired, one-year old I’ve been blessed with and cherish him. I cherish another year gone by and look forward to the new chapter God’s writing. I take a deep breath knowing I’m a survivor and that God is incredibly good all the time. I stand firm knowing that with Him I can do anything, can endure anything. In Christ alone, my hope is found.  

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬