Dear Brittney,

As you head into the new year, there is so much I want to say to you. First I want to start by saying that I am so proud of you. This has been a really rough year. It started horribly and ended worse. But through it all you kept your head held high and you walked through it with much class and dignity. Yes, there were moments where it seemed like there were never-ending tears, but you got up and pushed through. I'm so proud of the woman you blossomed into this year. You shined for the first time in such a long time. You allowed God to begin transforming you into the woman He is calling you to be. You stopped running, you focused, you loved yourself for who you are and you began walking in your purpose. I'm not going to say that this year was easy for you because it wasn't, it was probably the hardest year of your life, but in it you learned to let go and fully and truly trust God. Your growth has been so beautiful to watch.

As you head into 2019 take the lessons that you learned this year of 2018 and hold them dear to your heart. These lessons will be instrumental for where God is taking you in this new year. Remember these lessons:

1. Wake, Pray, Slay

When you wake up in the morning the first thing you need to do is pray. Beginning your day with prayer and thanking God for allowing you to see another day will set the tone for your day. Prayer and positive thoughts in the morning can elevate your entire day. Never, ever make a decision without taking it to God first. Continue to strengthen your relationship with God and talk to Him often. Prayer is the key. So before you turn to anyone else, pray unto God. Always pray for clarification, direction and discernment. Be sincere and always thankful in your prayer. Meditate. Journal. Follow God in all that you do, He will always lead you in the right direction. And don't forget to slay as you walk the path He's set before you. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always (1 Chronicles 16:11); Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12); Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this in God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

2. Every Action Does Not Deserve a Reaction

There will be things that will happen to you, there will be things that transpire right before you, there may even be verbal attacks against you, but just because it took place or was said does not mean that it deserves your attention or even a reaction or a response. Some people will do things to try to get you to act out of character, but you must always remember and walk in who you are and whose you are. Remember that everything that you go through and every battle that you face is not your battle. Turn it over to God and allow Him to do the rest. In this new season you must learn what battles you must fight and what battles you need to leave in the hands of God. Through discernment you will know what battles are yours and which ones to leave alone. So remember, every action does NOT deserve a reaction. This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, For the battle is not yours, but God's (2 Chronicles 20:15).

3. Forgive Always

Some people will hurt you intentionally and some will hurt you unintentionally. But truth of the matter is people are going to hurt you, friends, family, even the person that you never thought would hurt you. Whatever the case may be, forgive them even if they're not sorry. Learn to forgive regardless of who it is that caused you pain. Your forgiveness is not for them but it is for you. In forgiven them you free yourself from the hurt they have caused you. The pain may not go away right away but your heart will heal. Forgiveness gives you the opportunity to let go of the bitterness you're harboring and allows your heart to heal. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32).

4. Trouble Don't Last Always

Life will have it's storms, it's night moments. But always remember that a beautiful rainbow follows the rain, that morning awaits you at the end of the night. Don't let the pits of life get you down or make you give up. Whatever you face in life, know that there is a lesson to be learned from it. Everything that you go through helps to mold you into the person that God has called you to be. So take in the lesson, keep pushing and keep fighting because just like Joseph you may be in the pit right now but your palace awaits you. How you handle your pit will define your character, so don't let it turn you into something you are not or let it cause you to give up. If you give up in the pit you will never make it to your palace. Hold on when you're facing the trials of life, turn to God, and remember that the trials of life don't last always. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

5. Be Unapologetic-ally YOU!!!

You are beautiful and whatever you do, don't lose sight of that. Don't let what has happened to you change you or make you second guess yourself. You have been chosen and you have greatness on the inside of you. Walk in your beauty, walk in your calling, walk in your purpose, walk in your truth and don't let anyone try to get you off track or make you think that you are nothing. You matter and you are more than enough. Don't change for anyone. God has created you in His image and made you beautiful, so don't let anyone make you believe that you have to change who you are in order to be loved, in order to matter, in order to be who God has called you to be. You are beautiful just the way you are. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14); You are altogether beautiful, my darling (Song of Songs 4:7). #BeYOUtiful

Remember and take these lessons with you into the new year. Hold tightly to them on this new journey ahead of you. God has been preparing you for this moment all year and there are great things ahead of you, things you could have never imagined. So walk boldly into this new year, into this new season, onto this new level knowing that God is with you and He has prepared and equipped you for this new season. I pray that God continuously watches over you, protects you and continues to do marvelous work in and through your life. The journey ahead of you may not be easy but you were chosen for this moment. Embrace it and trust God through it all. Don't look back, walk into 2019 with the expectancy of what God has promised over your life. And remember to always

Be Brave, Be Courageous, Be Unapologetic ally YOU!!!

With Love,

The Old Me

Brittney R. Lott