Thankful

When I was in high school, our home-ec teacher had us write letters to our future selves. Upon graduation, we would receive one. I believe the next one came 5 years after graduation (or something like that). I had such a great plan. I would graduate high school and go to college on a music scholarship. After that, I would go to medical school and become a pediatrician. I’ve always loved kids, especially infants, and couldn’t imagine a career that didn’t somehow incorporate children. I’ve always had great interest in medicine, the mind, and why things work the way they do. While in college, I would fall in love, get married, and start a family, when the time was right.

By my senior year, I had my pick of schools to go play at. I chose to stay in the state and took a full-paid music scholarship at UNA. As most of you know, my life was turned upside down during that first year of college. Things changed. I lost my vision and hope for the future. Needless to say, I was gravely disappointed when I received that last letter. Life got in the way of MY plans. I went through a period where I felt like Job. I had lost everything that I once had.

As I recollect all of these things today, the day before Thanksgiving, I find myself being thankful. While my plans sounded great, they weren’t part of God’s plan for me. I honestly don’t know why I stress so much about making my own plans. The New International Version of The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11.

How many times have you made your own plans without seeking His will first? What was the outcome? I’ve done it countless times. I still do it. The outcome always leads to frustration and disappointment. I can’t help but think of the song “Seek Ye First” that comes from scripture. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.  I probably could have saved myself a lot of hurt if I had just looked to Him first!

I have to go back to those scholarship offers. The offers began my sophomore year. I was one of the best trombonists in the state. I had offers from all over the state, as well as offers from Tennessee, and offers from the military to play in their bands. I knew I wasn’t the best, but I knew I was good. I don’t stay that in an effort to brag. I say it simply to let you know where I was in my life. I naturally chose the school that offered me the most money. I prayed about those decisions then, but I can see now that I didn’t give God any room to help. It was all about me and what I thought was best.

In hindsight, I can see that God allowed a lot of things to happen over the years to humble me. He broke me of my arrogance and greed. He let me see that it wasn’t all about me. Every day He reminds me of that fact. I am thankful for that now. I am thankful that He loved me enough to not give up on me. I am thankful that He was there through all of the trials and all of the tears. I am thankful that he continues to work on me! Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee’. He has always been there and He always will be… I hope everyone has blessed Thanksgiving. Be Safe!