With the future, the possibilities are endless. Most people dream of the house they'll have when they make it big or how many hours they'll have to dedicate to get their dream job. But lately, I've been reconsidering what my dreams really are. Instead of thinking of the things I want in my life, I keep thinking of what I want to get out of my life.
I keep thinking about the person I want to become. I think of the life I want to live, the experiences that will shape me, and the example I want to set for my children. I want to be a woman who finds her purpose and runs with it. And I don't want to be afraid. I want to be a woman that lives a life that she's always proud of.
Here's a list of values that I hope many of you hold with you as well.
I want to be the woman...
- who loves God with her whole heart and lives to serve Him
- who embodies Jesus through all of her words and actions
- who is kind, loving, and contains a generous heart
- who anyone can talk to and feel comfortable around
- whose presence exudes peace
- who shows the world how much she loves Jesus in every minute of every day
- who can be comfortable with who God made her to be
- who can live a life where, regardless of the circumstances, she can remain strong in her faith and rejoice in having God standing right by her side through it all
- whose husband is proud to get to spend a lifetime with her
- whose children are proud to call her their mother
- who never stops doing everything she can to take care of her family
- who can appreciate each day that she is given as an adventure all its own
- who accepts every person she meets for who they are
- who never gets tired with the life she has been graced with
- who never forgets to count her blessings before she ever counts her failures or hardships
- who uses her energy and gifts from God for the well-being of others
- who puts Jesus and others before herself and her wants
- who doesn't just see success as a good career, but the love and relationships she's gained
- who always learns something new when she reads her Bible, no matter how many times she's read through it before
- who embodies unconditional love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13)
- who doesn't just keep God's incredible love for herself, but shares it with everyone
- whose faith will never be shattered by tragedy or any form of loss, but will be strengthened by her trust in God and His perfect plan
- who lives up to her full potential and the purpose God called her to
- who makes a positive and lasting impact on someone else's life (no matter how big or small)
- who is ALWAYS true to herself and to God
I'm excited to see what paths God takes me on and where I end up as I follow Him. It brings a smile to my face knowing that I have a purpose and that God has already made a plan for my life. I want God to use me in any and every way to help, serve, and love others to the very best of my abilities. And I want to live my life in a way that serves God before it solely benefits me. What I get out of serving others isn't the satisfaction that I can do good things, but the joy I receive in making others happy and letting them shine, even if I have to stand backstage. It's knowing that I'm doing what I'm meant to do, that I'm living according to His plan, and embodying what Jesus taught us all to do.
I want to be the woman God created me to be and is preparing me to be every single day.
This list is long, but it's full of the many facets that encompass being a strong woman in Christ.
This piece is dedicated to the big group of women who have impacted my life so positively that I would not be the same person I am today without their love or guidance. From friends, family, Young Life leaders, to other wonderful role models in my life, this one is for you.
God gave me all of you for the ups, the downs, and everything in between. I am who I am because of you. I really could never see a life for myself without any of your beautiful souls in it. Thank you for helping me see who God has been pushing me to become and thank you for never failing to remind me how much I am loved by you. This list defines the type of people you are, and I pray that one day, I can be half the woman you all are.
All my love, always.
B
