A good reminder...

Today, I was reminded of the goodness of God, and how He always uses everything as part of His master plan. I was also reminded of how much He has changed me, and caused me to grow over the past few years. It was a needed reminder.

I have some friends who say that I am too hard on myself, and sometimes, I just need to stop. While I think that it is impossible to be "too hard on yourself" when compared to the model of Christ, I sometimes just brush that away, and never think about what is good in it.

I think that I can have a tendency to always be pushing towards the next thing in my life that needs work, without ever stopping to reflect on how good God is, and how faithful He is to produce fruit from trial.

Case in point. It is almost two years now, since the Zach incident. Today, for the first time, I really sat down and thought about all of the good things that have come into my life since that point. Here is a short list.

I have met some very dear friends (Emily, Kris, Tish, Josh, etc.)
I was in a position to get a job at the museum two summers ago because he wanted to go volunteer there.
I was able to get experience as a chef/manager this past summer, because of that same job at the museum.
I have started to seriously consider culinary arts as a career, as a result of the summer.
God has revealed Himself to me in so many ways, and my relationship with him has deepened significantly as a result of the trial.
Because of the people that I met at the museum, when the time came to transfer, I considered my current school (which would have NEVER happened before)
I wouldn't have been able to get involved with my church, which I absolutely love!
I wouldn't have met my roommate Kristi
I wouldn't be able to live with Katie
Incidentally, Katie wouldn't be at this school if I hadn't come, and said something to her about the linguistics department.

This is definitely a partial list. And think how many things God does that we don't ever know about???? Its kinda exciting!

Does this mean that I can sit back, and revel in how much I've grown over the past two years? No. But it does mean that I can marvel at the greatness of God, and be humbled by His glory.

And maybe that is something I should spend some more time doing...