What I learned in 2009....

I put this on my facebook too...

When worship becomes a formality, don't even bother. Apply yourself to everything you want to be good at. Don't fall too hard or too fast. A broken heart is the worst, but I think it's necessary at least once. The mouth is a dangerous tool, whether words, attitudes, or tone. It is normal to be angry and frustrated, but never take it out on others; it will hurt you and them. When you sing, sing like you've never sung before. When you lead worship, actually worship. Don't just lead others INTO worship. If someone acknowledges their faults and truly desires to change, don't write them off. Help them grow. Growth hurts so badly, but their is nothing like seeing where you came from to where you are. You are never as cool as you think you are. Introversion isn't a bad thing if you are extraverted. Know who holds your heart. He loves you enough that he won't let it break. You are never alone. If you do something with enough energy and excitement, people will love it even if its bad. Eventually, you will come back to your first love. I love my violin more than I ever have. Who cares what people think...live like no one's watching. I have an audience of one, and He is so proud of me. There isn't anything you can do about a bad grade. Just tear it up the next time. I don't really care about perfectionism...unless I'm playing music. John Mayer is the musician of my generation. And he blows my mind with every word. Less is more. Delay is a guitarists best friend. Uggs are still ugly. I secretly would enjoy being indie. I really like sunglasses and shoes. V-necks. Win. If you wear a suit, people will immediately give you a bit more respect. There is nothing new in the world. If you think you have arrived, you aren't even close. 2009 was a YEAR for me. I've never grown so much in one year. Ever. Change hurts, but I have never embraced it like I have this year. To anyone who reads this, if I hurt or offended you, I am so sorry. If I ever snapped at you, forgive me. Don't hold it against me. The Ryan that entered 2009 is not the Ryan that exited 2009. Thanks for all my friends, both new and old. You make my life interesting. Mom, Dad, and Nay, thanks for all you are. Dad, thanks for your long AIM conversations (i have lots of them saved on my computer) full of wisdom and love. Thanks for being so patient with me and showing me how to truly live. Mom, you make me laugh and I'm forever grateful for all you are. Renee...holy cow have you grown. You are almost as tall as I am! I have enjoyed watching you grow up so much in just a year. You are truly gonna be even more amazing as you grow. What a year it was...and what a year it is going to be.

A Year: A reflection on 2009.

...Facebook statuses. Who knew that by reading all of my status updates from 2009, I could remember so much. The good; the bad. The fun; the tough. And yet, after looking back, God had it planned from the start. He knew about it ALL beforehand. And I still struggle to trust him? Ironic, isn't it? That we can look back and say "Lord, it was all your plan" and yet we can't put our lives into his strong hands. Oh, how I have changed in a year. 2009 was most definitely a year that I will look back on as the year that I started to grow up. How funny is it that such a short section of my life can bring the biggest changes. When January 1st 09 came around, I had my own idea of how it was going to go. And how far off I was I could have never seen. While being one of the most fun years of my life, it was also by FAR the most difficult. And yet God is still in control of it all. The biggest lesson of 09? Don't throw stones; they get heavy so quickly. Take the high road; you may not see the benefits quickly, but overtime, the righteous are blessed. It is so very difficult to do, but it is worth it.

So for this year, I'm not even going to try and make ideas of how it's gonna roll. I'm going to sit back and say "Lord, have your way. I trust you." I'll do my best to roll with the punches, to learn and let go. 2010 is bound to have its troubles and blessings, but through it all, You remain my constant. You truly are the heartbeat I long for. Nahum 1:7...the theme of 2009, and my desire for 2010.