Taking Inventory 2019 -

Inside: It’s the end of the year. Time once again to get reflective with these ten questions about the past for taking inventory 2019.

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Berries in the snow, symbolize year's end and taking inventory 2019. — Time to take a long look at 2019.

Once again I’m back to review the past year with these thought-provoking questions designed to put life in perspective. It’s a good way to figure things out before moving forward into a brand-new year.

Ready?

Taking Inventory 2019

1. What worked?

Across the board so many things didn’t work, which resulted in an attitude of picking myself up off the floor, dusting myself off, and moving forward. (Think James 1:2-3.) So patience? Changing my attitude?

Aside from that, unwinding in front of the TV, watching classic sitcoms. I really needed to just relax and laugh.

2. What didn’t work?

Many things, but, specifically, trying to arrange my life instead of waiting on God.

Also, more lack of planning resulting in stress. (A repeat from last year, unfortunately).

3. What surprised you? (Whether good or bad.)

Ending up in the ER one night for an allergic reaction to (my best guess) peanut butter. (Embarrassing confession time: I ate half a small jar in the span of about 12 hours.) In all of my 53 years, that marked the third time I’ve ever been a patient in a hospital–my birth, when I gave birth to my daughter, and that evening spent in the ER. (Something to be very thankful of, for sure!)

While I was hoping I’d have a good surprise to share this year, at least it’s not as bad as the previous two years I’ve been doing this.

4. What disappointed you?

Wanting to put a part of our lives behind us, yet being held back. Feeling like we’re sitting at a red light way too long.

5. What were you most proud of?

I’m most proud of my husband who, in the face of hardship and disrespect, kept doing the hard thing and showing up in a very difficult situation. (Sorry, some day I hope to share more.) His character and obedience to God inspired me.

6. What gave you the most joy?

Spending time with my nephews when they visited in the summer. And sneaking around to arrange for the family to surprise Mom with a fire pit (which she’d been wanting for about a decade) for her 75th birthday. It was fun creating a story line around Mike and my brother Matthew going out to pick up this huge fire pit in Matthew’s van so Mom wouldn’t figure it out.

7. What drained you?

This year it was more feeling physically drained than mentally or emotionally. A few prolonged but minor injuries this year made me feel tired at the end of some days.

8. What wasted your time?

Trying to figure out what God is doing as we wait for a situation in our lives to change. Yes, still being cryptic. Still waiting. Still hoping next year I can disclose what I’m talking about because things will be different.

9. Who did you enjoy spending time (or connecting) with?

The usual suspects–Mike, Mom, Emily and Jared, family, friends. To be specific, my brother Jeremy and I had some great conversations this summer when he was home. My sister-in-law Karisa and I started up our long-distance critique group, which I’m excited about. Dinners with Candace at Bread Co. Phone calls to Joy.

10. What gave you the most peace?

While the year had a lot of frustrations and disappointments, strangely (or not so strangely) my measure of peace grew in proportion to those same frustrations and disappointments.

A Word About My Word

My word for 2019. — I expanded. . . Not like I thought.

Going into 2019, I had a great deal of excitement about my word for the year. At the beginning of the year I wrote, “So it’s January 4, and I have this word that seems exciting and cool and just what the doctor ordered. In a practical sense (there goes my nature again) we have for years wanted to build a home. Not sure that’s what this eludes to, but I can dream, can’t I? The word could also mean growth in some areas, such as this blogging business, and I’ve wanted that since I started A Rural Girl Writes. Or it could mean character growth. Sigh. Though I think the scripture puts a more specific spin on it. . . Or maybe across the board, in many areas of my life, I’ll see expansion.”

Then a friend commented on that post, saying that her word for the year was similar–“grow.” I hadn’t thought about it that way really. I had thought “increase.” Guess which one it meant.

Yeah, growth. Character growth.

Sigh.

Let me be honest here–that was not what I had in mind. Some day I will appreciate this more, I’m sure. For now, it added to my disappointments.

So let’s examine “expand” as it related to me this year. I expanded in my prayer time–out of necessity. I expanded in my faith–out of necessity. I expanded in my trust. Again, I had to. I expanded in my ability to forgive people who deeply wounded someone I love.

Character growth. . . In some ways I feel like the little girl who got long underwear and socks for Christmas when she wanted a puppy.

But here’s the thing. God knows what I need–and what I can handle. (Maybe that figurative “puppy” wouldn’t be a good idea right now.) Just because the year didn’t turn out the way I had hoped doesn’t make the promises from scripture any less true.

I don’t have my word for next year yet. It is late in arriving (late to me, that is), and I don’t even have a clue.

Will keep you posted.

Back to the Questions

Your turn. If you are the introspective type, click here for a copy of the questions, or, for an abbreviated version, simply write down what worked for you and what didn’t work. As you answer these questions, you might find some answers overlapping, as I did. That’s perfectly fine. In fact, those areas might be the ones you need to more closely examine.

Let’s end the year on the right note, taking those things which benefit us along for the journey, leaving those things which drag us down behind.

Goodbye, 2019!