dustinahkuoi

For every night I chose to face pain and embrace it rather than cover it up, escape or justify my way around it…I gained grit and perseverance…but it was slow and tedious

For every void I gave to God rather than fill it up with something else that did not satisfy…I gained a deeper conviction on what could sustain me and keep me…but it was slow and tedious

For every day I woke up and chose to believe that it was love that had me in my current circumstances…as opposed to punishment or injustice…I gained gratefulness and hope…but it was slow and tedious

For every small choice I made to course correct an undisciplined life rather than to make excuses…I gained character, resolve and comfort in my skin…but it was slow and tedious

For every character flaw I faced and owned up to instead of blaming someone else for my choices…I gained self worth and forgiveness…but it was slow and tedious

For every stitch I tried to help repair in broken hearts…rather than continuing to pour salt in wounds or tearing them open even more…I gained perspective on love and what it means to be a man…and I watched them come alive, heal and flourish…but it was slow and tedious

For every adventure I set out on to have fun and enjoy my friends…instead of giving up and believing I was who I had been and was without hope…I gained passion,vigor, self worth and a renewed love for living in the present…but it was slow and tedious

For every question I asked to challenge my beliefs…rather than accepting “hand me down truth” or incorrect dogma…I gained a greater ownership of what was in my head and heart…and more love…but it was slow and tedious

For every wound I had from the past that I took time to recognize, pray about, realize my part and move forward in forgiveness and love…rather than bitterness and judgment…I gained freedom and a smile…but it was slow and tedious

These things were all hard…AND STILL ARE…but…I have stumbled upon a groundbreaking truth: A year is made up of 365 days…and they all happen one by one…sounds simple but that’s how I had to break my journey up…into bite size pieces. Just read a quote today that said ”The virtue lies in the struggle, not the prize.” (Richard Milnes)

Oh and one more thing…

For every failure and bad choice I made along the way and am still making…rather than walking a perfect path and not repeating mistakes…I gain perspective on my human frailty and need for grace…lest I forget I am not flawless and in need of God’s strength and wisdom. I am resting in grace and continually learning through success and failure. And in case you were wondering…it’s still slow and tedious…the “struggle” is still goingbut it has been worth it all…and I have to keep reminding myself of that every day.