I wish I knew how many times God has reminded me of that quote. But I'm pretty sure I don't want to know how many curveballs I've been thrown. What I call a curveball is God reminding me that He has plans for my life; plans that are so much more than any plans I myself might have. And the curveball is His way of getting my attention fixed on Him again.
This past year has been a year of curveballs. I've needed lots of God's guidance in very obvious ways to keep me focused on Him. And praise be that God guided me in very obvious ways this past year.
I would like to share with you (and let's be honest, remind myself) some of what God's been teaching me. There's so much more for me to learn in each of these lessons. But i take comfort in the truth that so long as God keeps working in my life, I'll keep learning until one day I leave this life and enter the life to come. And even then, I think I'll still be learning :)
-Grace isn't easy. But it's always worth it.
-When God chisels parts of us away it hurts. But He knows what He's doing and in the pain there is a distinct, necessary reminder to seek Him first.
-To love is to be vulnerable.
-A promise kept is more beneficial for the person who kept their word than the one who they made the promise to.
-There is a fine balance between ignoring criticism altogether and learning from the truth in the criticism. Wise counsel from parents and mentors helps to keep the balance steady.
-What God calls us to do will always bless us through obedience. But He might use our actions in ways that we never know. We have to let go of our need to see God at work and trust Him that He knows better than we do when it comes to handling the dominoes He uses us to start.
-Language is both over-rated and essential. All at once.
-Our wallets and credit cards reveal what we believe.
-Never be too proud to accept a gift. Sometimes the gift isn't about you, it's about what God is doing in the heart of the giver.
-Tears are beautiful.
-Sights, sounds, smells....all make up a place. But a home is made up of the people, prayers, and memories there.
-Love is a delicate balance of letting go but always rooting for someone.
-The only antidote to bitterness is grace.