A Letter From Me

Recently, I've had the blessing to be a part of a group of women who meet every other week to talk about where we want to be in five years, and how in the world were going to get there.

Honestly, when we first began, the task was daunting.

I have no idea what my big goals are for five years- I don't know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow yet.

I don't know what my big dreams are- because dreaming big seems so scary.

So when we were tasked to write a letter to a friend as if it were ten years from today, and write it assuming that everything has gone to our dreams and plans, I was a bit skeptical.

But as I sat down to write tonight, I was so encouraged by the picture that was painted in my mind that I just had to share and ask the question to you- if you had to write a letter to your best friend in ten years, what would you want it to say? And, how are you going to get there?

This is my letter. I'm sorry about the length- I guess I just have a lot of big dreams.

                                            3.25.24

Dear friend,

Wow. 35. When did that happen? How did the last ten years just fly by? I shudder to believe that we are just five years from 40. Everything about that idea is frightening. And as much as the idea of being alive for four decades makes me want to vomit, I look back at the past ten years and only feel one thing- grateful. 

I am grateful for my husband. I'm grateful that I waited for The Lord to surprise me. I'm grateful that I never gave up praying for him, because it made the moment when we were standing in front of our friends and family and I could say wholeheartedly " I prayed for you everyday" that much sweeter. I'm grateful I chose a man that keeps me laughing. I'm grateful that I chose a man that runs after The Lord. I'm grateful I chose a man that continues to pursue me, even when I'm at my most unloveable. I'm grateful that I chose a man, and didn't just take the first one that walked by because I was feeling lonely or insecure. I'm grateful  I chose this man.

And as grateful as I am for this man, I'm also grateful for those years I spent without him. I'm grateful for the friendships I was able to develop, the skills I was able to learn, the places I was able to see, and most importantly, how that time required me to rely on God; how those years taught me to be a strong disciple of Jesus so when I finally did say " I do" I could stand in front of my husband, full and complete, made whole not by his presence, but by the presence of The Lord that drew us together. I'm grateful not a second of those years were wasted.

I'm grateful for our house- not because of it's size or how many fine things fill it's walls. I'm grateful for this house because it has been so full. Full of high school girls, sharing their secrets and their heart aches, full of college students needing a couch and a home cooked meal, full of our small groups that forced us to look at our relationship with God in a different way, full of friends and family  who made this city, and this house a home. I'm grateful because this house is full of laughter and snuggles and late night ice cream runs, and hours spent together. This house , our home, is full of memories, and the promise of so many more.

I'm grateful that life has constantly been an adventure. From worldwide travels to cross state road trips, and even just spontaneous karaoke date nights, I'm grateful that life has never been boring. And now, as we begin this adventure into the foster care world, I'm grateful for the change that adventure can bring.

And dear friend, what I'm most grateful for, over ever other amazing blessing in my life, is the fact that I have come to better understand the face and the personality of Jesus. I've begun to know the man that walked the same Earth as we do in such an intimate and close way that I'm able to call him friend. I've laughed with him, cried with him and through the giggles and through the weeping, I've begun to see myself as he sees me- funny, and beautiful, and full of

promise and purpose. I'm so grateful that I was able to begin to recognize what He sees when He looks at me.

So, 40 may be scary. And time might be rushing by faster day by day. But I have to take a step back, look around, and see how much I have to be grateful for.

Love,

Katie