expect the unexpected.

You know that no one can predict the future. There are countless who have tried. Although it's easy to say that certain things in history repeat themselves, there are never two things that are exactly the same...there will always be differences. I've come to realize a lot here lately that there are a lot of unpredictable and unexpected things happening around me all the time. Somethings that have an affect on me and somethings that do not. There have been some really great unexpected things to happen that have allowed me to learn a whole lot about myself. I'm thankful for those experiences that have taught me very valuable life lessons.

God likes to show us more and more everyday how small we are and how big He is. He also likes to surprise us with things--as I've come to find--as well as placing people in our lives who will bring unexpected blessings as well as encouragement to our lives. I've also found that some people like to push us to go beyond ourselves and outside of our comfort zones. This has happened quite often in the past few months--and I've come to grow a lot through the broadening of my horizons. I also have the expectations of some future situations that will challenge me again--whether it be relationally or vocationally. So I must come to grips with and accept the challenge of expecting the unexpected. Because from my past experience, I know that God has great things for me. I just have to be prepared and willing to do what He wants me to do.

I just hope that I can discern His will very clearly. As I grow older, I have the greater urge to do things that are in His will. Sometimes we do things that may be outside of His will, but He has a way of drawing us back--and using those situations and circumstances to grow us and mold us into the people He would have us to be. It's not always easy. He never said that it would be...but He promised that He would always be with us to help us through. And if times get so tough--He will carry us through our hardest trials. I know this with certainty that He is a faithful God who will never leave us in our darkest hour. He is always there. All we have to do is call.

So, expect the unexpected. Embrace the future with hope. Know that God has great things in store, even if they are completely outside of your comfort zone and outside of "your plan". Remember, His plan is greater--and it's for our best!