Year Two
The living room is our place to come together at the end of the night to catch up. It’s my favorite part of the day. We would lay on our dusty green-colored love seat that we stole from my parents’ home two years ago. My legs would be on top of his, as he rubbed my knees. We would stare at the blank flat TV screen in front of us, our first purchase as a married couple. We would, mostly, reflect and discuss what happened that day. He would talk about the types of customers he would meet, coming in and out of the store. I would talk about the student I spoke with for about an hour in my office. When we were done, he would take my hand and place it on his wrist, a sign to scratch his arm. He would immediately, then, dose off, sitting upright with his head bobbing back and forth. I’d nod with a smirk, and I think to myself, “Yup, I get to do life with this man.”
Proverbs 16:9 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
We make our own plans, but the Lord decides where we will go.
Midway through college was the first time I realized I didn’t have much control over my life. EVERY life event, so far, did not go as I planned.
After high school, my plan was to stay and attend college in Boston. I ended up leaving Boston my sophomore year to go back home to finish my degree. I graduated college with a Marketing and Management degree. My goal was to work in the city as a fashion merchandiser surrounded by fashionistas. I now work at a school just outside the city, surrounded by young college students.
If you told me five years ago that I would be living in Quincy, MA, “The City of Presidents,” with my husband, I wouldn’t believe you. It wouldn’t have made sense to me. I would ask, “What happened to Boston?”
As my husband and I reflect with gratitude--in our living room--about the events that took place over the years, I don’t think we would change a thing. We wouldn't have our lives go any other way, simply because we wouldn't be here, now.
Aren't you so glad that we worship a God that knows better? And aren't you so thankful that God allowed some things to happen in your life and said no to others?
The relationship that didn’t work out. The company that didn’t give you a second interview. The school you didn't get accepted into.
Isaiah 55:8-9 New International Version (NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
We trust God; and I’m not saying that to boast or to sound super spiritual. It took us a while to get here. We didn’t always understand the things we went through, and we didn’t always get what we wanted. We realized sometimes that kind of stuff had to happen in order to see what God wanted for us--and He wanted better.
- mal
