When I was in Junior High, High School, and College, whenever I would think about the future, it always stopped at age 24 -- I imagined that by 24 I would be done with college, have a job, and married. I clearly remember sitting on my bed at my parents' house and crying on my 25th birthday -- I had finished grad school six months earlier, moved home to save money, just quit the job I got after grad school, and was dating no one. In fact, I had few friends in my life. I wasn't crying because I wasn't where I thought I should be, but because I had no idea what would come next. I had NEVER imagined life past age 24. I remember praying that God would just lead me and show me where to go because I had NO CLUE.
Now here I am at age 36 and I could never have imagined how amazing my life would be. As much as I imagined falling in love and meeting the right guy, I never knew how wonderful it would be to be married to an amazing man of God who sincerely loves me and cherishes me (it was worth waiting to find love until I was 27 and getting married at 28). I always knew I wanted children, but had no idea what a mother's love was until I became one five years ago.
I've mentioned a lot in my blog posts recently how my life has changed this past year...as my facebook wall filled with Happy Birthday messages yesterday from friends old and new, I was blown away at the number of people who have come into my life the past year and call me a friend.
God has filled my life with numerous blessings over the years. At times, it seemed like I was going in a different direction every day (ask me how many times I changed my college major, etc.) and there were times that trusting God's guidance was a real struggle, but I am where I am today, because God has lead me, molded me, held me, and never left my side. Our God is real and powerful and loving. God has never promised us an easy life without hardship or pain and I know those times will always be there in the future, but I cling to these blessings and to a God who loves me so much that he sent his son Jesus as a baby (Merry Christmas) to grow up and save me from my sins. Nothing compares to the blessing of Jesus as my Savior.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my life recently or years ago. I treasure you and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for my life this next year.
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