I never actually sat down and wrote it out...but I guess there's a first time for everything.

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I grew up in a Christian home. Faith in God has always been a part of who I am -- I don't think there was ever a moment when I did not believe God existed. He was sitting on His great throne in heaven -- watching over us all. "He's got the whole world in His hands..." He was in control.

As I grew up, I was active in Sunday school, went to church regularly, etc. -- but I never actually took that step and accepted Him as my Savior. I honestly don't know why; I don't know what held me back. I believed in Him; I believed in the Bible -- but I didn't want to surrender it all!

During my early teen years, I spent a lot of time with a certain female friend -- we were best friends, although completely opposites on a lot of levels. She walked the fast line, while I tended to take the slow one. She lived for the now! On occasion I did join in the fun, but for the most part I had morals that I lived by -- high ones. Eventually we reached a point where our differences were just too great and our friendship dissolved. It was a tough period for me, especially when I saw her move on with her life (and turn to my younger sister for friendship). When life raced on, I tagged behind...

She (former best friend) ran away from home a short time later and I found myself at a crossroads. Her life was in shambles and I saw from her experiences just what a life without Christ could become. And I didn't want that! I was now hanging out with friends who were strong Christians and soon because of their influence on my life, I turned back to God. I finally surrendered everything -- and accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior!

Time went on. I found an awesome group of friends who helped me in my Christian walk. They encouraged me to study God's word, to grow closer to Him...and as time passed my relationship with God grew. No longer was He simply a being on a throne above, instead He became the Father I could turn to whenever life dealt me problems. With His help, all things were possible! He had a plan for my life --- and the future looked bright and hopeful!

I think I settled into a pattern of sorts. I grew away from God as the years went by -- I was often simply going through the motions. I needed to get back on track!

Then a storm hit! My younger sister (who had been majorly influenced by my former best friend) ran away from home too. If ever I had a struggle to face, it was then! My faith in God was stretched -- dangling by a thread!!! I was mad! Mad at my sister -- mad at God!!! I don't know why I took it out on God, but I suppose I didn't know or have anyone else to blame. I was hurt, angry and disappointed that my Father who was supposed to have a "plan for good and not for evil" would allow this to happen. My world was shaken!!!

Looking  back now, I see it was indeed for my good. For in the past few years I had strayed a little bit away from God -- and I don't think anything else would have gotten my attention! This hurdle brought me back! Despite the hurt and disappointment I felt, in my darkest hours He was the only light I could turn to. I gave it all to Him -- and my relationship grew again. As the weeks passed, my faith and commitment to God grew stronger than it had at any other point in my life. Eventually I found peace with my sister's situation despite not being happy about it. My faith in God was back.

About 6 months later, I took another step of faith. On April 1, 2007, I was baptized on the confession of my faith. That same year, my sister came back home again!

I know now that everything really does happen for a reason. We may not always understand God's ways, but we need to trust despite it! We can't just float through life -- we wouldn't grow! The trials we face are sent to test us. They will bring us back to our knees -- back to our God. With Him on our side, we will come out stronger on the other side! We WILL prevail -- and our life will be bright with hope.

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"FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU",
SAYS THE LORD. "THEY ARE PLANS FOR GOOD
AND NOT FOR EVIL, TO GIVE YOU
A FUTURE AND A HOPE."

Jeremiah 29:11

No doubt we all live with regrets. Every one of us, no matter our age, have done some things, said some things, or even experienced some things we wish we could change. Wouldn't it be nice to erase some moments in our past???

Unfortuanately that's just a dream! Life doesn't come with an eraser -- instead we are given a permanent pen!!! And there's just no going back to make changes!!! On the journey of life, we travel on a one-way road. The 'older and wiser' people who have long travelled the road will tell you that no matter how far you go, you will NOT find a U-turn! It does not exist! There is only ONE direction possible for you to travel -- straight ahead!!!

The past is history! We can only change the present! And honestly, I think that's a good thing! If we were able to go back and change some things in our past whenever we felt like we made a mistake (or just simply wanted too!), the world would be even more messed up than it is already! And we would be too!!! For it is only from our mistakes (and  the mistakes of others) that we learn what NOT to do. If we look back at our life, we will see many instances that we would not repeat a second time, simply because we LEARNED from them. We created a stepping stone...and we grew as individuals because of those experiences. While they may not all be great ones -- and few regrets are (LOL), they are the moments that define us for who we are.

While we can't go back, we can move forward! Our future is spread out before us -- bright and beautiful! We have so much to live for -- let's not spend it dwelling on the past. It's behind us! It's unchangeable -- leave your regrets at the foot of the cross...and move forward Let's charge ahead with confidence and the knowledge that God is with us.

Have a blessed day!!!

 ...do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Don't worry!!! It's a lot easier said than done. I'm one of those people who tends to worry about everything!!! It's hard not to!!! LOL If I put my effort into something, I cannot simply sit back and relax. I worry about whether it'll be any good; if it'll turn out; if people will like it, etc. Actually now that I think about it, I spend too much time worrying about what other people will think about something!  

Especially if you are in a positon of authority. Worrying about whether what you do, say, etc. is good is just a part of it, isn't it??? I don't think it would be a good thing to be laid back about it -- you should and have to care...'cause if you don't care, it won't be any good! And yeah, for me caring and having passion for something ends up looking and sounding like "worrying". But how do you let go of worries???