#2018Blessings by: Julie Wicker
As 2018 comes to an end, I reflected on my blog post called “Lets Rejoice” posted December 2017. In that post I shared with you my word for 2018, “Rejoice” and my mantra, “Be Brave”. Wow has God shown off this year. The scripture that comes to mind is; Isa 55: 8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I picked the word rejoice during my time of reflection over the 2017 Advent season. I wanted to carry the Christmas joy with me throughout the year. It’s so easy to let the devil steal our joy especially when we are in line with God’s will. Oh boy, have I been in God’s will in 2018 because I have had a target on my back, called the Devil. The scripture I reflected on was from 1 Thes 5:16-18, “Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.
I picked the mantra, be brave because I knew that God was going to do big things in 2018. Little did I know the new paths He was already making and the difficult choices I would need to make. Just like God to show off for His glory, He was making a way where I thought there was no way. I had already faced several rejections in 2017. I was beginning to wonder if I should keep knocking on the open doors that kept closing. The scripture that I have been clinging to for my renewed hope comes from, Isa 43:18-18 “Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness”.
As most of you know in January of 2018, I enrolled at HGTC for Business Administration classes. Looking back today, I’ve taken 7 classes and have one year under my belt. In March of 2018 I took a huge leap of faith and changed career paths as I accepted a Job with Georgetown County School District. Also, in March of 2018 Kendal and I said yes to Origami Owl to help supplement my time and income.
Through each of those brave decisions, I have been able to Rejoice. There have been times that the devil snuck in and made me question if those choices were God’s perfect will. Then I see God’s handiwork where he has equipped me to go back to school with A’s & B’s all while still juggling a career and managing a house. I see God’s faithfulness as I look back at my previous job in the Medical field and the vision God gave me. By changing careers, I was able to allow others to take the lead. I was able to have five weeks off this summer with my children. I have been able to pick my kids up from school. By saying yes to Origami Owl, I have been able to build new relationships. It’s a side gig I can teach my children how to be entrepreneurs. We have been able to pay for necessities. God continues to work things out for His glory as we read in Ro 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.
I can’t wait to share with you my word for 2019. I pray this reflection encourages you to pick a word of the year. For those of you that chose a word in 2018, I would love for you to comment your word and if you feel lead to share a testimony of how God has used that word this year in your life.