One Year

One year.

This Friday marks one year since I graduated from college. Wow. Tomorrow I drive up (or over) to Springfield to watch the commencement ceremonies for the class of 2012. Most of the remainder of my close friends from college will take their turn walking across the stage. I'm already beaming with pride. (Yes, I am like a mother. It happens to the best of us!)

Many of these beloved friends have shared hopes, anxieties, dreams, questions, etc...pretty much any thought that passes through one's head before graduating. As they share the plans and purposes they feel called to, I can't help but think back over my life this past year.

Plans and dreams are wonderful, wonderful things. As has been the case in my life, God is taking me on a much different path to get to these dreams. Let me tell ya, I am so thankful that He is. I am gaining so much needed experience in ways that I never even dreamed of...never even thought of. But isn't that the beauty of God? His plan far surpasses any that we have for ourselves.

God is teaching me to be faithful in the small. When I graduated, I had a much different plan for myself...this plan certainly did not involve working at the District Office for the Kansas Assemblies of God. I was going to be off running around the world by this point. However, I am so thankful that God led me here. There is a whole lot that I didn't know, and I'm so glad God gives time of preparation and rest. I'm glad God is a God of growth. There has certainly been a lot of that since I left the confines of my beloved Evangel. Being where I'm at is beginning to open doors that are leading to my passions, my hopes, and my dreams for the future.

The winds of change are blowing, and I feel mounting anticipation. God is continually preparing my heart for the dreams He has given me...for the plans He has for my life. I'm also thankful that God is a God of confirmation. A few weeks back, our children's pastor shared something I will never forget...a message straight from the Lord. God told her to pass along to me that I am on the right track. GLORY! Oftentimes I find myself wondering, "God, am I doing what I'm supposed to be? Am I listening to you? Am I following your plan?" This was exactly the answer I've been searching for. She also told me that I need to be cautious of the thousands of voices in my head. As long as I keep my eyes fixed on Him, the perfect and unique plan He has for my life will be carried through to full fruition. (I took SOME liberty in the word choice there, but that is the jist.) I'm glad God uses other people to confirm answers to many (not all) of life's questions.

I'm also glad that God provides ministry partners. A dear, dear friend of mine received a vision back in October. This vision was a DIRECT confirmation of everything I have been feeling in my heart over the past couple of years. (Ask if you want the full story!) The funny thing about this confirmation is that I hadn't shared most of what she shared with me from this vision. But EVERYTHING she said, God had been stirring in my heart. It's nice to know that your dreams aren't crazy. :) It's nice to know God puts people on your path that can share in the journey with you...people that can share in your dreams.

I have no idea how God will work anything out, but I am so thankful for how He has worked out the past year. I'm no longer afraid to dream a God dream, but I am also a lot more willing to be patient as He works out every detail. It's nice to know that someone who knows much better than me is in control of my future.

A year ago, I was a little freaked out. Today, I am hopeful. I am eager. I am ready. I am waiting. Today, I am dreaming a God dream.

Until my next ramble,
Em