From Then to Now

Thinking back about the past several years, I can see how every single thing was orchestrated with a purpose. Every person that was put in my life, every failure, every success, every tear that fell... everything! Though there are times where I wish that I could go back and start over, I know that I wouldn't have learned some things any other way and I wouldn't be here if those things didn't happen. Each summer, I feel like there is a specific lesson that God is teaching me. Two summers ago, it was that Christ defines me. And though people may have misconstrued ideas about me, no one truly knows me, except for the One who created and saved me. The only opinion that really matters is His. He is the author of my life.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~ Psalm 139:14

Last summer, it was that I deserve the absolute best and I must guard my heart because it is such a precious gift from God. Hearts are so easily broken, but God is always there to mend and heal it, that is, if you allow Him to do so. It was the start of one if the hardest times in my life and I didn't ever think I'd ever get through it. But, I finally did several months later. And in all of it, I'm so thankful to God that I didn't get what I thought I deserved. During that summer, I also was constantly reminded that all things work together to give me an amazing future. Even in this very moment as I'm writing this sentence, I'm smiling at the thought of how things happened-the good and bad things. It's like God was speaking to me in the most random ways. There were many times when He gave me "signs" and I didn't want to listen, but now, I realize that He allowed all of it, even the things that hurt, to show me exactly what I deserved.

"Above all, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." ~ Proverbs 4:23

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

And this summer, He's teaching me all of this all over again and even more. I find myself thinking about the past and how things have turned out. And if you really know me, you know that I constantly worry about what's going to happen sometimes even in the next few hours. But, that's one thing God is teaching me... still.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has trouble of its own." ~ Matthew 6:34

As I'm getting closer to graduating and starting a career, I think even more about it. But, then when I think about the past and what God already has done, I realize how dumb it was for me to worry because everything fell... and is still falling into its perfect place. What's the point in worrying about the future or even the past? All it does is ruin the present. He's the God of the impossible and I know He's got my life in control. As school will be starting back up again, I'm so excited for what He has for me! I'm forgetting then and looking forward to now.