Walk in the Woods

Daily Journal Nik Curfman Daily Journal Nik Curfman

Vol II: #92 Beni

I couldn’t fall asleep so I turned to my phone and checked the time. A new text message flashed on the screen. “Oh Nik,” it read from the sender. I quickly opened my phone and read the entire message only to confirm my suspicion. Beni Johnson, wife of Bill Johnson and Senior Pastor of Bethel Church, had passed away from a nasty battle with cancer.

I couldn’t fall asleep so I turned to my phone and checked the time. A new text message flashed on the screen. “Oh Nik,” it read from the sender. I quickly opened my phone and read the entire message only to confirm my suspicion. Beni Johnson, wife of Bill Johnson and Senior Pastor of Bethel Church, had passed away from a nasty battle with cancer.

Bill, ever Heaven bound, wrote a three word caption under the photo of Beni he posted on social media: Healthy and Free. My heart goes out to Bill. He and Beni met as school kids and married as soon as they could. He’s a few years older and I’ve heard him joke about “Praying for his teenager at home,” when he was 21 and Beni was 18. The truth is Bill never spoke of anyone the way he talked about Beni. And, he will have a fresh hole in his life. Part of me hopes he grieves in public. We need an example of how to face death.

After I set my phone down, I apologized to Beni. I was harsh on her messiness, and I judged her words and actions when they conflicted with mine. But, she was never my enemy. She was a sister and a saint. What she gave the world will always outweigh her mistakes. Because, God is good.

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Journal: #159 Why I Love 2020

Now, I am able to find joy in each day no matter how difficult a day it was. That’s a good place to be. So, 2020 has been a year of favor, grace, and love. I want carry its with me the victories and wisdom into 2021 and beyond.

Only a few cold days left in 2020. I’m probably in a small group of people who aren’t ready for it to end. Despite COVID-19, civil unrest, the elections, a breakup, and a failed business partnership…2020 has been my favorite year as an adult. Crazy, eh? I just can’t hate any part of this year. It’s been a life changer, and I am forever grateful.

The single biggest positive change is my life is the total dedication to my relationship with Jesus. To the best of my ability, I’ve run after the Lord as He instructed in Matthew 6:33. Instead of trying to fix myself and all the parts of it, I’ve started by running after the Holy Spirit. This year we built a relationship based on trust, honesty, and faith. And the fruit is obvious. While I still experience sadness, anxiety, and frustration, those feelings don’t dominate my life or how I see myself.

Now, I am able to find joy in each day no matter how difficult a day it was. That’s a good place to be. So, 2020 has been a year of favor, grace, and love. I want carry its with me the victories and wisdom into 2021 and beyond.

Over the next ten days I will list my top ten favorite moments of 2020, and I already gave you a preview of #1.

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