Such is Life

I suppose it only fair to mention (as otherwise I may confuse you, my dear readers, in future posts): a little over two weeks ago, I started working as news editor for two local newspapers, the Clarksville Star and Butler County Tribune-Journal.  It's a dream come true.  Everything I've always loved doing--interviewing people, visiting neat places, and exploring small-town Iowa--I now do every working day.

Not only am I doing something I love, it seems I'm working for a great company.  My co-workers have all been pleasant and very helpful as I've worked on learning my new duties.  I remember at an interview for another company I applied with, I was asked what kind of people I liked to work with.  "Nice people?!" I replied.  They told me my coworkers would be grumpy.  In retrospect, I am so glad I did not get that job.

Sometimes I find myself randomly laughing when I'm on the road driving.  I deserve so little, yet God has blessed me so much.  Looking back over the past years it's beautiful to see how God has led me, even though I did not always see His hand.

I learned to surrender to the will of God, because nothing I have is mine.  My life isn't mine.  My talents, my love, my health, and my faith aren't mine.  Everything I have is God's, and I can trust Him.  He does hear my prayers.  And if He doesn't seem to answer right away, there's a reason.  He's not ignoring me, and He's not too busy.  He will work everything out when the time is right.

Annie Johnson Flint reflected, "His will be done, we say with sighs and trembling, expecting sorrow, bitter loss, and tears.  But then doth he answer us with blessing, in sweet rebuking of our faithless fears."  I am grateful He answered my prayers, and I trust He will continue to give me strength for the challenges I'm sure are ahead.

"I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  --Psalm 73:23-26