Where Does this Fit?
- Jan 1, 2018
- 4 min read
I am beginning 2018 the same way I began 2017, with great expectation and a determination to fight like a warrior, to stay focused, and in the face of fear, to choose courage.
I even got myself a "theme song" Warrior - by Steven Curtis Chapman
The only difference with this year, is that I have EVEN MORE determination, and GREATER EXPECTATION!
You see, I like to think of my life as this giant puzzle. Over time God gives me glimpses of the bigger picture of my life's purpose, and with each piece of the puzzle I receive, I gain more insight, and it build's this unexplainable excitement within me. An excitement for what He's doing, and what He's going to do.
However, there are times when I don't see where the pieces I am given are supposed to fit. They don't really make sense, and at times, just feel like a scattered mess. That's when it gets really hard. That's when God's wants me to really trust Him with my "I'm mad" and my "I don't understands" as He moves the pieces of my life around to make them fit.
In this year, as in many previous years, I have learned more often than I would like to, that if I am never tested I will never know what I am capable of, and if I don't learn to trust God, I'll never know what HE'S capable of.
These past few years have held more blessings than I can possibly list in one message, (but a few pictures will help me try)
FIRST EVER Miss Wheelchair Canada 2017
Miss Kindness World 2017
Meeting my new brother, and his family!
Becoming an Ordained Minister
Published in two different languages
Russian - With Woman together founded by Margaret Gibb
Polish
In the mix of 57 other amazing successful business woman, you'll find me at #27 in this edition of Women on the wave written by Jarosław Waśkiewicz, the President and editor and chief of the Brand Club
AND MY WALKING IS GETTING STRONGER!!!!
To read my full blog on that journey click here!
AND STRONGER!!!
but believe it or not, it's also been a year laced with more pain than I felt my poor heart could bear. There were times this past year, that I have almost buckled under pressure of my own fears and insecurities, or felt that God must have made a mistake, and some of the puzzle pieces I was given, were meant for someone else.
One example of a "piece" I couldn't understand, and most defiantly would NEVER have chosen, was when I lost my dear father-in-law to cancer in March of 2017. You see, I told a friend that I believe we are all like puzzle pieces, and that God joins us together with other "puzzle pieces" along the way for a greater purpose.
I saw Father John, as a big piece of my life's puzzle, so I was left thinking, "How can my puzzle ever be complete now, if a big piece is missing?" In the midst of my confusion, I found one of his quotes that had a profound impact on me.
"Don't waste your suffering”
Life won’t get easier.
Learn to accept disappointments, suffering, and incalculable loss.
On some levels, life may become easier, but the fact is, you’ll weather one crisis only to meet another.
Life will never become void of pain, discouragement or periods of suffering.
But remember, these are the tools of your Lord to transform you.
A crisis is an unwelcomed opportunity for growth.
So don’t waste your sufferings. - John King
The moment I read his words "Don't waste your suffering," I knew it would become a major "piece" of my life. I knew this was God's way of showing me that he's still very much a "piece" in my life, and will be apart of the legacy that will live on."
Looking back, I can see that all the events in my life -both good and bad- have formed the outside edges of the puzzle of my life. Empowering me to grow in ways I could have never imagined. Now I'm confidently taking each piece as He gives it, and trusting that it will fit.
I often reflect back to 19 years ago, when transverse myelitis took my independence and nearly destroyed my life. I thought my dreams of making a positive impact on the world had ended. However, what I thought was the end of my dreams actually set me on a path to the fulfillment of my wildest dreams. I am now an author, motivational speaker, life coach, ordained minister, and Miss Wheelchair Canada 2017, on a world stage with more opportunities to inspire and empower others than I EVER imagined. Puzzle pieces I WOULD NEVER have chosen as part of my life, but I choose to let God use them for His glory.
In the midst of the steep learning curve of life, and trying to understand where all my "pieces" fit, I have learned that surrender and obedience, mixed with LOTS of love and patience, will lead you to the fulfillment of your wildest dreams, AND did I mention, that I am married to my best friend, my knight in shinning armor - the man of my dreams! Without all his love and support I would not be where I am today!
I'm looking forward with GREAT EXPECTATION for what ELSE God has for me. I am going to fight like a warrior with the strength of my Heavenly Father, and in the face of fear, insecurities and self doubt, I WILL choose courage.
I don't knowing what 2018 will bring for you, but I pray that you will trust God COMPLETELY to make your "pieces fit."
My ongoing "Resolutions!"
1. Obey God, and leave the consequences to Him
2. Keep walking even when I can't see my next step.
3. Spend time in God's presence daily, because in Him is where I find ALL I need!
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.
- Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)
We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
- 1 Corinthians 13:12 (MSG)
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