Man, 2017 seemed to crawl by, am I right?
Just kidding. It FLEW.
A few days ago I was remembering something that had happened earlier this year. It literally felt like it happened yesterday. To be honest, it made me really sad. 2017 went by so quickly for me, I could’ve missed it if I blinked.
Yet I don’t feel like the year was wasted. In fact, I feel as if it was one of the best years of my life. I grew a lot in my talents, my walk with God, and my family. I even met some people, and made some friends, which are now my squad. My friends mean a lot to me. For a lot of my life I’ve been the oddball, and quite frankly, I still am. The difference is having friends that accept you and include you, and having ones that don’t. You can probably guess which type my friends are now. ;) Through these people I’ve met even more people, and I continue to be introduced to more, I just marvel at what God has planned for my life and how it continues to play out. 2017 was a year of revelation for me, in a way. I understand more about why things happen, in the order they do. God has a plan for everything.
Yesterday on the way to a New Years party, I was scrolling through Instagram stories on my phone. So many celebrities I follow were recapping the year through photos, and saying how excited they were to begin 2018. To be honest, I was (and still am) scared. 2016 was a rough year, and then 2017 was one of the best of my life. How in the world can 2018 top it? Either 2018 is going to be really good, or really bad. It scares me because I don’t know. At times like this, I have two choices. I can freak out, and rely on my own strength, messing everything up. Or, I can run to God, put my trust in Him, and give Him control over my life. He’s turning everything into good, though I might not be able to see it.
Another thing I’m learning lately is actually related to this blog. Lately I’ve been feeling as if I have too much talent. I know how to sew, take photos, draw, bake, play the piano, blog, and ref soccer games. A lot of the time I feel blessed and thankful I have all these talents to share with people. But even though people who feel like they have no talents envy those with many, life is not all fun and games for people with many talents. So I have a confession to make: I tell myself I am lazy. I tell myself I could be doing more. I could be posting several times a week. I could be setting up amazing photo scenes. I could be baking cakes for people. I could be reffing more soccer games. I could be playing the piano at nursing homes (one bad experience and I’ve never been the same so performing is tough for me). But often I don’t feel like doing anything except lying around. Disappointed, I tell myself to step up my game, and do more. I have these talents, and doesn’t God say in the Bible to use them for Him and proclaim His word with them? In the end though, all I do is end up feeling ashamed. I have too much talent. God should have given some to someone else. I’m going to go to heaven, and God is going to shake his head, and say, “I’ve provided you with this talent, and you didn’t use it to the best of your abilities. You’ve let me down.”
But our God isn’t like that. Remember the verse, Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
We are not saved by our works. This includes what we do with our talents or how much we use them. We are saved by faith alone. God gave us this gift called grace. It whispers to us, you are enough. You didn’t earn this grace; you could never do anything to earn it. But yet, you are enough. Talent or no talent.
Then, in the midst of the business of life, we find peace.
Isaiah 40:31 – but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Happy New Year! 💫
– Dara 💕
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Aww, this post was honestly amazing. I loved it a lot. . . I %100 agree with what you said.
Happy new year! I hope it’s better than you can imagine. Even if you feel like it can’t. God can truly make it amazing for you. For everyone.
~Katherine🎉
Thank you so much Katherine! 💖
Aww, this is amazing! I have had good years and bad ones. God has been with me through all those times. ;) I am so excited to see your new posts for 2018! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Happy New Year to you as well! 💫
Dara, this post was one of the most impacting posts I have read of yours. It is amazing how when we are honest and admit our weaknesses, others can so relate! I have not seen you a lot this year, but can tell that God is working in your life a lot! Life is hard, but God and his grace is so much bigger!!!!! I am praying for you and know God has great plans for you and that you are blessed with all of your gifts for a reason, they will not be wasted. Keep drawing closer to Him!!! Miss you, friend!!!!!!
And just so you know, I have never seen you as being an oddball! That shocked me that you felt like that. It is funny how we all have fears about ourselves that we think are obvious to others, but most times others don’t even know. May God bless you in this next year of life, another leg of the journey till we go to our final destination…..our real home. I hope I will see you more this year!
Thank you so much, Kyra. 💙 That’s so true. I know personally I have a hard time sharing my weaknesses but I’m learning that when I do, it creates deeper relationships with people. 😊 May God bless you as well! Happy New Year!! 💫
Thanks! I finally remembered to check if you had written back! You are doing a great job on your blog! I miss you!
Oh wow! I needed to hear this right now. I feel the exact same way about my talents too! I should be doing more. I should be way more accomplished than I am with all this talent, or maybe I should just focus on one of my talents, and get really really great at it. Instead, I just feel like I am all over the place, flitting from one thing to the next without really mastering anything. Thank you for putting it all into perspective! And a Happy New Year to you! :)
ginnie / http://www.fakingitmostly.com
I’m so glad you liked it. Isn’t it amazing when God works out stuff like that? To be honest I felt like not posting it, but I knew it needed to be done. 😉 Happy New Year! 💓
This was such an inspiring message! I especially love how you included all the Bible verses to back up what you were saying! Awesome post! Oh, and, Happy New Year!
-Sarah Jane
Thank you Sarah Jane! Happy New Year! ⭐️
Beautiful post. :) I found it quite encouraging tonight. Thanks for posting.
Aw, that makes me very happy. You’re welcome. 💞
I love this article! Very heartfelt and true for me too.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you! ✨
Wonderful post! I enjoyed hearing your thoughts, and I hope you will have a blessed 2018. :-)
~Gracie
Thank you very much! You too. <3
AWWWW, Amen, Dara!! I admire your God-given talents SO MUCH and I for one don’t think you are lazy. You’re my #1 doll photography and blogging role model. I can’t wait to see God’s goodness play out in 2018 in both of our lives. Happy New Year! <3
—Madi
Madi, you’re so sweet. Thank you very much. :) <3
We finished reading this post with a good attitude. We learned a lot. Hope you have a great year! We hope it’s as great as 2017!
Aww, I love this! :-)
I’ve been struggling with similar things. Not enough friends. Fearing I’ll Disappoint God. Also, not being content with what he has given me. Wanting more. 2017 had ups and downs for me. My mom got pregnant for the first time in 6 years (there’s 11of us with around 2 years part) and than a few weeks later, she miscarried. We were reminded tha t he gives and takes away. But he never leaves. I’d you ever want to talk, let me know! (E-mail, DM on Instagram, whatever works for you!)
Praying for you! 💕
Anna
Rebecca is so so adorable! Happy 2018!
I really relate with this post… thank you for the encouragement and the Scripture verses. :)
Thank you for such a beautiful message! I think it’s something we all need to hear! My new year resolution is to get closer to God and strengthen my faith. God bless you in the new year!
2017 did really seem to fly by!😃
😍😍😍😍😍
That was a very beautiful message. God is awesome!!!!!!
Thanks Rachel! 😊❤️