This is what 2016 taught me.
January: Spending time in a new city can literally alter the course of your life. Spending time with people you love can permanently alter your perspective.
February: Your youth is not a limitation. Your age shouldn’t stop you from living life. No one can put you in a box unless you want to be there.
March: Long distance is the worst. Specifically, long distance relationships.
April: College isn’t for everyone. I repeat, college isn’t for everyone.
May: No matter what you do, you can’t please everyone.
June: Planning a wedding is no joke.
July: But at the end of the day, you’ll be married to the greatest human on earth.
August: Leaving your family behind, moving away indefinitely— even after almost five months I can’t explain the weight of that moment. Bittersweet is an understatement.
September: You are so entirely enough. Your value is unchangeable.
October: God always provides for His own. He doesn’t leave you where you are. He doesn’t forget about you.
November: "Worry emerges when I’m not focused on the character of my Father. It rears its head when I falsely believe that I can do life on my own.” -Frani Matthews (I quoted myself. No shame.)
December: Taking risks is the best way to overcome fears and grow. You’ll have the privilege of looking back and saying, “Man. I can’t believe I did that.” Or rather, “I can’t believe I’m still okay.”
This is what 2016 taught me.