Tonight, I was making potato salad for a lunch tomorrow. This is something that over the years I’ve done dozens of times. It’s a “family” recipe that I began learning as a kid and can now make it without much thought. As I was making it tonight, I was reflecting. After finishing it, I sat down and reflected some more. I pulled out an old journal that I haven’t written in for a couple of years, and in the last entry, I talked about how time changes things. I talked about the transition of life that had occurred and how different things were then. I started writing another entry and was reflecting on how even more different life is now.
Two and a half years ago, I had no idea the journey that life would take me on. I had no idea the twists and turns and ups and downs. In these last 6 months alone, I’ve seen huge personal growth, for me. I’ve seen God change perceptions of mine and teach me to trust Him no matter the circumstances. I’ve found and experienced His peace that goes beyond all understanding. I’ve seen God do incredible things in the people around me. I’ve seen Him orchestrate things that only He could have orchestrated. I’ve seen God move in lives and deepen relationships.
I sit here amazed at the pure goodness of God. It makes me think of the stereotypical verse, Jeremiah 29:11. “ ‘For I know the plans I have you,’ ” declares the Lord, “ ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” God knew all along the plans that He had and has. He knew the path and the journey that He had me on, and they were plans to prosper me, not to harm me. They have given me true hope and a future. As I sit back and reflect tonight, I find myself content. Life doesn’t at all look like what I thought it would at this point in life, but you know what they say about the best laid plans… I find that the journey has been and still is worth it, no matter how hard it gets. I find that God is always stretching me and teaching me something new.
I really sense and feel God sending me into the next phase of the journey. I see Him putting pieces together, and I’m filled with such anticipation and excitement of what it will bring. I’m truly excited to see what further change will come and how He will continue to grow me and stretch me. I’m excited to find Him hopefully in deeper ways and new ways. I’m excited to see Him continue to move and work and amaze me with his goodness and love.
These two crazy beasts have been part of the journey, and they say that they guess that they will continue the journey with me. Even if I make them behave like good dogs...
