Twenty-one years ago today, May the 28th, 2002, was a very exciting day for my family. Twenty-One years ago today, In Keokuk, Iowa, God blessed my parents with a beautiful, healthy baby boy. I’m honestly not sure my parents knew what they were getting into with a second child like myself. I don’t think I came with any sort of warning label or anything like that, which would have let my parents know that raising a child like me would be one heck of an adventure. You see, I wasn’t like your average child. I was much more unconventional and energetic than average. I didn’t always use that energy to my advantage and have let it get me into trouble quite a few times over the years. But as life goes on, you live and learn from your mistakes, and you continue to grow and get better as a person. I’ve always been the type that sees things differently than other people. Sometimes, it takes me a second or two longer to understand things than others (which sometimes got frustrating for my teachers), but that’s OK. I believe that God made us all unique in his image and that God has blessed me with many wonderful Gifts and talents for the purpose of Glorifying Him.
As I look back on the last Twenty-One years of my life, I can’t help but see Twenty-One Years of God’s Faithfulness. Each Day, God provides us with new mercies and new blessings, and there is always something good in each day, even if it takes us a while to see it. Life isn’t always perfect. God never promised it would be (until the day we meet face to face with him), but what he did say is that it would be worth it.
Sure, my life has had its downs (falling and cracking my head on our Gravel Driveway is what comes to mind here, and that’s a story for another time), but it’s definitely had its ups too. I think I’ve had more ups than downs which, to me, is God’s faithfulness. Twenty-One years ago, Only one person knew that I would end up where I am now, and that’s the almighty creator. He had a plan for me from the time I was conceived, and it’s been so interesting to me to see his plan unfold over the years. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope.”. Although it wasn’t always easy to see the plans he had for me, he had one all along. All the things I didn’t know over the years, he did. This last year has really shown me that God had a plan all along. Losing the last half of my Senior Year wasn’t easy by any stretch. Deciding to take two years off of academics wasn’t easy, but if none of those things would have happened, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I would have never met the most amazing people that are family to me, and I would have never gotten the privilege of being at an amazing place like IWU.
In prayer and quiet time, one question I always ask is, “Why Me?”. God could have picked ANYONE to bless with as many things as I’m blessed with, but he chose me. I didn’t know 21 years ago that I would be blessed with an amazing family of people (both blood-related and non-related) who love and support me more than I’ll ever know. I didn’t know that he would bless me with an amazing calling in my life that I would get the privilege of living out. I had no clue that I would be blessed with the most amazing Christ-Centered Community to be a part of. I have so many things to be thankful for, but most importantly, I’m thankful I serve a God who is faithful and has a plan for my life.
As I wrap this up, I want to quote one of my favorite TV and Country Music Stars, Mrs.Reba McEntire. In the last episode of her show, she said, “Six years ago, I thought I was cursed. Turns out, I’m blessed. Blessed to be in the middle of the craziest, most dysfunctional, wonderful life I could imagine, and I love all of ya”. I can really relate to that in a lot of ways. My life isn’t always put together 110%, but what it is, more than anything, is a blessing. I can’t wait to see how God will use my 21st year of life for his Glory!