December two years ago, I was wheeled in this same place.

December today, in this same place that I was once wheeled in, I walked in.

Smiling.

Instead of holding onto my dad’s hand for emotional support, I had 12 bright and cheery 5th grade girls follow behind me.

I motioned for them to “get in their places.” and they began to sing Christmas music for the patients and healthcare workers in the room.

And we, together, brought joy into the oncology center, through music and connection.

If you would have told me two December’s ago, that I would be in that very room leading a choir full of children and back to living my life— I never would have believed you.

I never thought that I would be strong enough to walk again.

There were many days I believed I would never be able to teach again.

And so today, in that same place, I walked. I taught. I lived.

I beat every lie that had once come against me.

It’s hard to see the what’s on the other side of the mountain when you are still climbing it.

It’s hard to believe that you will ever reach the summit.

But when you’re there, when you’ve made it to the top–

How much sweeter it is

When you look down at the bottom

And see just how far you have climbed.

And then you feel

Unstoppable.

So, be encouraged– whatever battle, journey, nightmare — you may be in today–though you may not be at the summit yet, keep climbing.

Lift your head up.

Stay on course.

There are better days ahead.

There are good days ahead.

There is beauty for ashes and joy for mourning.

I’m certain your situation is different than mine. But we all have battles.

We all have lies we have to defeat and noise we have to silence.

Today, I give praise to the one who redeemed my life from the pit. The one who was closer than a brother. The one to whom I clung to with all of my might in those very dark days when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And I will live the rest of my life

To give Him glory.

Isaiah 61:3

“To give them beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD,

that He may be glorified.”