I love it when a plan comes together...

Ever have that moment where you realize that every step you take, every move you make (short of being chronicled by Sting), has lead to one congruent purpose? As though the heavens themselves open up and say, "Hey, that's what that was for!" ...no?...well, wait for it. It's bound to happen. By all accounts, the past few months had been rather trying for me. In fact, I can reference quite a few occasions throughout the course of my life that have been "rather trying". But as time goes on, I learn these things were not without purpose. Each of these threads, good, bad, or trying, have served to make up the fabric of who I am, who I'm becoming, and who I'm meant to be. Step back with me for a moment; take a look at the big picture. Can you find moments in your life that when combined, created a path that led to a somewhat defining moment? Bigger still, even the relationships we have with people, those we keep, those we lose, all we come in contact with, lead to defining moments, and defining ourselves: the love of your life, whom you met through your new-found best friend, that you met at a church you randomly visited with a coworker from a job you received through the reference of your cousin, whom you hadn't spoken to in 6 years until you ran into them at a shoe store in the mall...Best part of that story: God saw it coming the whole time. He divinely orchestrates those beautiful "A-ha!" moments we get to enjoy here on Earth. He's like the parent that gets to constantly throw a surprise party for His children. Warm fuzzies aside, there's something incredibly comforting about that. Even when life feels entirely out of control, when those rather trying moments overwhelm us, force us to hit rock bottom, make life get really dark ---He's got it all covered. He's using those moments to grow us and shape us, those threads to fabricate us, make us stronger. The Biblical story of Joseph comes to mind. Despite his trials, he chose to recognize them as opportunities for divine growth, for building a foundation for his character as a man. God blesses those who honors Him in such a way. I look back on the struggles of the past; they are wounds, yes, but I feel like through the help of the Lord, I can USE these things for a purpose of good. I can say to someone "I know how you feel", or "I've been there before", and mean it, wholly and truly. So take a moment today to take a step back, and try to see the big picture your Heavenly Father may have in mind for you. Sooner or later, you and God can together say, "I love it when a plan comes together."