2024 was the fastest year I’ve ever experienced, and looking back, it was filled with little things (like watching my 1-yr-old niece pet bluebells in the yard and seeing an otter while kayaking down a creek) and bigger things (such as watching the solar eclipse in my backyard with tears welling in my eyes in awe of God’s incredible creation). Will you join me on a journey through 2024?
Fellowship of 2024
I am so thankful God created us to need interaction with others, for how fun and beautiful is fellowship! From church services and small group to video calling with my German friend, this year had so many fun moments! Bonfires with friends, catching up at coffee shops and Fox Meadows Creamery, and breakfast with our “breakfast crew” (even 9.5 years after graduation!). There were family reunions, family vacation weekends at State Parks, and lots of laughter.
I am so thankful God created us to need interaction with others, for how fun and beautiful is fellowship!
Events of 2024
Some were bigger events than others, such as my workplace’s three days of customer appreciation open house and three days of public open house, which were full of meeting customers we may have only talked to via phone or email and getting to see the public’s amazement at everything our printing company does. I enjoyed a local theater production of Hamlet, a For King & Country concert, the new Bonhoeffer movie, and Sight & Sound’s incredible theater production of Daniel. I went roller skating for my niece’s 8th birthday, and yes, she skated circles around me but would stop by with encouraging phrases such as “You’re doing really good!” And of course, there was the adventure of attending Horse Progress Days (honestly, just google it), where the parking attendants rode horseback, the dust clouds coated everything – including my lungs – and there were more Amish and Mennonite attendees than “English” folks.
Songs of 2024
Each year, I make a playlist of favorite songs, and here are a few of my favorites from this year: Psalm 84 by Shane and Shane – Day for Singing by Mission House – Sure Been Good by Elevation Worship – No One Like the Lord by Circuit Riders / Bethel – Still Waters by Leanna Crawford.
Writing Adventures of 2024
This year I made new connections and walked through newly opened doors. There were meetings at Lancaster Christian Writers and a year of fun, helpful, and encouraging LCW2 evenings with my amazing critique partners. I attended a one-day writing conference here in Lancaster County and a three-day conference in Virginia. This year, I started my own publishing company, got a website put together, and struggled through cover design, book layout, and getting set up on on KDP. (Hooray for Affinity Publisher!) I also finished the rough draft of my novel…after 7 long years! (In my defense, my previous job made it much more difficult for me to find time and brain power to do any serious writing.) And just when it seemed like my dream of publishing a book might never happen…I PUBLISHED A BOOK! My poetry book was released on Amazon on November 7, fulfilling a dream that began back in 2nd grade.
Hard Things of 2024
This year, three lovely older ladies with whom I used to work passed away. A local grocery store was destroyed in a swift-burning blaze and now sits as an empty lot with a for-sale-or-lease sign in front. A young driver turned too soon and hit my car, totaling my delightful, forest green 2002 Subaru Forester.
But without a doubt, the hardest part of 2024 was my brother-in-law’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis. It has been, and continues to be, a long and challenging journey for him, my sister, and their four kids (ages 1.5-8.5) – and our families – with surgery, rehab and regular hospital stays, treatments, etc. Through it all, I am so thankful for the support God has provided for them in family, friends, church, and more. It was incredible to see a community of all different groups of people come together for a truck show fundraiser event to support him.
But God is Still on the Throne in 2024 – and Forevermore!
God is so worthy of our awe and holy fear, and He is so, so kind. He is present through the mountains and the valleys. In 2024, I saw Him everywhere.
God is so worthy of our awe and holy fear, and He is so, so kind…in 2024, I saw Him everywhere.
I saw Him in every guided step in my publishing journey, in creativity and wisdom, in nature, in friends coming to support my brother-in-law, in writers supporting writers. I saw Him in snuggles from my nieces and nephews, in safety during a car accident, in laughter and smooth work days, in coworkers praying for my brother-in-law. I saw Him in in clear thought, His gentle whispers, in my sister’s smile, in a short DMV wait, in provision. I saw Him in my published book that I held in my hands, in the little miracles, in peace despite circumstances. And I saw Him as I knelt during worship, in awe of Him, and He whispered to me, “I am still on the throne.”
Remember, friend, no matter what your 2024 looked like, God is still on the throne. I am so glad you are on this journey of life with me! May God reveal more of Himself to you and richly bless your 2025 – Happy New Year!
Megan has a passion for words and the inspiring and life-changing power of story. A Lancaster County native, she cherishes her writing community and life’s simply joys: fresh notebooks and a good pen, nature hikes, traveling, time with family and friends, and cozy nights with a good book.