Journaling

     The other day I did something I haven't done before. I went back to the beginning of my journal and started reading. My journal was given to me at the beginning of my sophomore year by one of my youth leaders. Throughout the few years, I have filled it up mostly with prayers, sermon notes, and quotes. I don't really find a lot of reason to write about my day like a kid with a diary, but writing to God is something I love to do. What was crazy when I started to read my old entries was that I actually got to see how God has been working in my life. A lot of times, I feel as if I'm the kind of person who takes two steps forward and one step back. I can't see any good in me or any change. Sometimes I think one failure in life makes everything else I've done that is right inferior. But reading my journal, I saw that I have changed so much since sophomore year. I've changed so much since my entries even last semester. Good things have happened, I have grown, and God is working. I realized that prayers I had became answered and goals I set were starting to come true. Sure, there is a lot that still needs prayer and work, but I have no doubt anymore that while "I've been waiting, God is working." I look back at the things in my life I thought were such a huge deal, and realize while they may have seemed overwhelming, God worked through them. It honestly gives me hope God will heal the things that are currently overwhelming me. God has come through for me before, and I know He will do it again. Now that I've recognized this, I am starting to put my hope back in Christ and somehow begin to wait patiently. 

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." -Romans 12:12