When I was in high school, I had hopes and dreams for my future...some were things I had wished for since I was a child and others were things God began to place in my heart. I would sit and imagine myself walking out those God-given things and I was excited!
Then I grew up. I believe I did what God wanted me to do at that time, but I lost my focus. I quit trying to make sure I was accomplishing God's will and started following my own agenda. Ever since then, the dreams He gave me have become a distant memory...like that was someone else's life. And in all the mess I made, I kept feeling more and more condemnation and making even more and more mistakes.
So all that has brought me to this point...the point of FINALLY being so fed up with the "same-ole, same-ole" that I decided I was going to do something about it. God has been hammering His word into me...all about His grace, mercy, love, forgiveness. I finally reached the point where I gave up. I gave up my plans and everything I was holding on to for His plans. I have found myself happier than I have been in a long time...and reviving those old dreams...starting to see myself, once again, walking out those things God spoke to me all those years ago.
Now, I'm not suddenly perfect. I still find myself trying to make things happen on my own or follow my own plans rather than God's. I'm still fighting my flesh and dealing with frustrations and emotions daily. However, I'm bound and determined that those things will NOT weigh me down! They will NOT ruin my entire day when they come.
Praise God! This year is going to be the best ever! I'm determined that I will not fall back into the same old pattern! And when this year ends, I will NOT recognize my life! He has good things for me, and I'm going to follow after Him and not look back!
