Year End Review

Ahh yes, we find ourselves at the end of another year. As always, the time has flown, and we are wondering where it has gone. Like every other year, this has been full of joy and tragedy, the pain that comes from growth, and God’s glorious grace.

I’d like to end the year by running down a few of my favorite things from the year because who doesn’t love a good end-of-year wrap-up? 

Favorite Fiction Book: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 

I don’t read much fiction so whenever I do, I hope it’s really good. A Man Called Ove does not disappoint. It is a story of aging, friendship, love, loss, and so much more. Few stories have gripped me the way this one has. 

Runner Up: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Favorite Theology Book: Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zack Eswine 

Charles Spurgeon was open about his battle with depression. He would often say that he was prone to sadness. Zack Eswine walks us through Spurgeon’s struggles and his tips for dealing with the sadness that plagues so many of us. 

Runner Up: Analog Christian by Jay Kim

Favorite Self-help/Development Book: Hold on to Your Kids by Gabor Maté

This book is a must-read for parents of teens. There is a point where our children move from being adult-oriented to peer-oriented. That time is coming earlier and earlier and psychologist Gabor Maté gives excellent advice on how to navigate these dynamics. 

Runner Up: Metabolical by Robert Lustig 

Overall Favorite Book: On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble

Everybody is going through something. This is a fact of life. For some people, though, mental affliction walks with them constantly. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is simply get out of bed. Alan Noble gives no prescriptions, just simple, timeless, Biblical wisdom on how to tackle the ups and downs of life.

Runner Up: Live No Lies by John Mark Comer 

Now for some more fun stuff….

Best Meal: Damas

I ate a lot of great food this year. Damas is a beautiful Syrian restaurant in Montreal. I walked away from this place convinced that the best food in the world right is in the Middle East. If you’ve never had Syrian food, this is a great place to start…or somewhere in your city.

Runner Up: Husk in Nashville 

Favorite Sneakers: Nike Pegasus 40 Familia

One could say, I purchased too many sneakers in 2023. We don’t listen to ones…Anyway, I think this is a criminally underrated drop from this year. 

The lesson of the Year: You are worthy.

I spent most of my life feeling as though I wasn’t good enough. Unworthy of love. Unworthy of forgiveness. Unworthy of grace. Unworthy of redemption. 

These are the lies that have been shouted at me by the enemy for as long as I can remember. They’re still there but this year is one in which I got to tangibly feel the grace of God on my life. The grace extended to me, the words of encouragement I’ve heard, and the ways in which God drew me to himself are what got me through this year. 

As Paul says in Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

It would be a lie to say that I have entirely overcome the lies of the enemy but I think, today, I am in a better place than I was a year ago and for that I am grateful. 

I pray that the grace and mercy of God have been made real to you as well.

See you in 2024. In a new place. More to come on that soon.