Reflecting on the Past, Looking Forward to the Future

Tonight as I wrapped up my shift at work and as I came home and got ready for bed, I was thinking about my past. Things that have happened to me. And not just any "things," the big things. The huge things that have impacted my life in such a large way. I narrowed it down to three. Three things that impacted my life in such a huge way and changed my life forever.

I thought about the unexpected, the ultimate heartbreak, and the end of an important chapter. I shed some tears for these things that still have an effect on me today. I thought of their low moments and the hurt I felt both while they were happening and the months and years afterward.

I shed tears and remembered my hurt, but I also found all the good, no, great things that came out of these happenings. I reflected on where my life is now compared to then. Where my life could be if none of these things had happened. And where I'd rather be.

I would rather be right here. With hurt in my past but whatever bigger, better things God has planned for my future. Yes, it still hurts sometimes. And yes, every once in a while I will have moments where I wish none of it happened. Where I wish I had none of that hurt and things were still the way I planned them to be. But now, especially after tonight, I know I am better off without that happening.

God had reason for these situations. Some of these reasons I have reflected on and already know, but knowing Him, I will find more reasons in the future. All of them bigger and better and making my life exactly what He wants it to be and not what I want it to be.

So I end this night reflecting on the past but also thankful for where I am today and where I am going in the future.

Song of the Moment: Desert Song by Hillsong (All of my life in every season You are still God and I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12

Odd Metaphors

I haven't written a blog on the first of the month since December. However, today I decided that it was a fitting occasion. Why? Because so much has changed since I started these little "anniversary" speeches. So much.

In the past 6 months I have grown a lot. I have almost completed my first year of college. There alone I have learned a lot about my future career and about myself. I have grown stronger in faith. I have reached out and tried something new. I have been courageous. I have been honest. I have been fearless.

Not only all of this, but something that I thought was broken 6 months ago wasn't at all. Such amazing circumstances have risen from the ashes. Ashes from a fire that was lit for a long time. I thought it had burned out 6 months ago. And it did. But out of those ashes grew a tree. A tree, strong and friendly, and with arms always open to me. Things have changed, but they are so much better now.

So as I venture into something new, I will always have my tree. That amazing tree who has stuck around through all of my "moments" and never once turned away. In the future I pray that it will continue to grow along with me.

After all my odd metaphors, I am going to wrap up. Saying: I love ya bud. :D

Song of the Moment: God Gave Me You by Dave Barnes (I still remember the first time I heard this song on the radio. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7M7cJ4DydQ OR, if you can't get youtube, http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=91BF2MNU.)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are wrong but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity
1 Timothy 4:12