A Year-End Collection of Somethings

Can I cheat a little? Well, actually a lot? This month I’m not sharing the usual four somethings, but rather a year-end recap of all sorts of things. I’m still linking up with Heather Gerwing, though, because it’s all done in the spirit of her wonderful Share Four Somethings linkup.

So here we go, in no particular order of importance:

• Most helpful thing I’ve listened to this year:

When you’re 51 and have gone to church your whole life, it could be tempting to skip a collection of messages on the 10 Commandments because, well, what more can be said that hasn’t already been said?

Turns out, quite a lot.

If you’re looking for some listening material to get your new year off to an encouraging (and quite possibly convicting) start, check out Unlocking the Bible’s series titled “The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life.” I have a feeling you just might come away with a greater understanding of—and a new appreciation for—the 10 Commandments.

• A few good books:

I read more fiction than non-fiction this year, and I’m totally OK with that. As I look through my Reading Journal, though, a few non-fiction titles stand out as especially memorable and/or meaningful. (To me, anyway—as I wrote here, just because I like them doesn’t mean everyone else will too.)

• Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind by Louie Giglio

• Growing Slow: Lessons on Unhurrying Your Life from an Accidental Farm Girl by Jennifer Dukes Lee

• Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund

• On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser

• A delightful reading diversion:

Several weeks ago, my friend Bethany mentioned in a blog comment that she was reading a book she couldn’t “recommend highly enough.” I found the book at my local library and wholeheartedly agree with her endorsement.

If you’re a fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I’d encourage you to look into The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. Written from the perspective of Mary, the plain-and-overlooked middle daughter of the Bennet family, this touching book is at times sad, often thought-provoking and—in the end—beautifully redemptive.

• Favorite show to watch with Randy:

Speaking of Pride and Prejudice, a couple of months ago I told you how much I enjoyed rewatching the six-hour BBC adaptation of this classic with Randy this fall. We’ve moved on since then—to The Great British Baking Show.

We don’t have Netflix so we’re making due with old seasons from the library. And honestly, I’ll take them over anything current from any network. On your marks, get set … bake!

• A new understanding:

My faith is logical. I hope to write more about this in the coming months. For now, though, I’ll just say that reading a book by a man with autism and listening to my daughter talk about physics were among the things that helped me come to this helpful realization in 2021.

• Best new habit:

In September, I started fasting from the internet one day a week. Aside from texting family members and playing music on Spotify, I’m completely offline on Thursdays. No email, social media or Google.

As I wrote here, I soon discovered that my weekly break was recalibrating my body, soul and spirit in ways I didn’t even know I needed. And so it continues.

• Most encouraging song:

“Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham was released in September 2020 but remains at the top of my playlist as 2021 winds to a close.

• Song most likely to result in tears:

My daughter shared Ed Sheeran’s “Visiting Hours” with me, and it’s so poignant I just can’t help but include it here. (If you’re someone who has lost a much-loved dad, just know I’m crying right along with you.)

• A few memorable blog posts:

I don’t keep track of my blog stats much, but there were a few posts that especially seemed to resonate with readers during the last 12 months. Granted, one came with a giveaway, so that might account for the interest in that one. Even so, I think all three of these pieces are worth revisiting as we wrap up another year here in this little corner of the internet.

• Do You Feel Like Your Sparkles Have Fallen Off? 

• God’s Perfect Peace

• Telling Our Stories

• What’s ahead?

There’s a song from the musical Hamilton that includes the line, “We dream of a brand new start, but we dream in the dark for the most part.”

For those of us who prefer to know how the story—or at least the next chapter—ends, this can be disconcerting at best. The good news is that the verse that has stabilized my life so much these past few decades is still as true at the cusp of this new year as it was when it was first written several millennia ago:

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)

• • • 

Now it’s your turn. Feel free to share your favorite book, podcast or song from the last year, a life-changing realization, a lesson learned or any other year-end thoughts that come to mind. I appreciate every one of you and look forward to sharing more of my heart with you in 2022.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Share Four Somethings, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, #HeartEncouragement and Grace & Truth