Better Than My Dreams

My sorority is reading a book by Paula Rinehart titled Better Than My Dreams. "Though the story of your life may not be what you hoped for, there are hidden treasures of grace waiting to be discovered. Face the fear of being disappointed, find the freedom to love, and learn to rest in the mercy of God with renewed confidence. Better Than My Dreams shows you that sometimes God offers a different sort of wonderful than the one we have in mind." This book has opened my eyes to the big picture of God's plan. Things may not work out as I thought or I may end up disappointed, but in the end, God has His hand in His work here on earth. There are times in my life that shattered dreams have left me broken and confused. But "God eventually takes those broken pieces and fashions something far better than anything we could even think to dream." I wish I could think of better examples than boys, but it's in these situations that God has taught me the most. Every time a relationship ends with a boy, I am so broken that I cry out to God "why??" Why did this happen? I thought he was the one! Why could You do this to me? I am beginning to realize that God has been listening when I have these questioning rants with Him. And every time He faintly whispers "Wait my child. Wait. I have great plans for you. He is not a part of them." I just choose not to listen! But what a beautiful picture. The Lord is my Father and He wants only the best from me! God plans with eternity in mind; unfortunately I can't see past tomorrow's lunch (which kills me because I am such a schedule-oriented person). I takes a lot of faith to trust the Lord in these dark moments, but it only makes us stronger. "One of life's little ironies is that some of our hardest times are when our dreams actually do come true." "Often, the very things we call meaningless detours in our journey turn out to be the path we were supposed to be traveling. We have come home-but by a road we would not have known to choose."
God is opening many doors for my future, which I am extremely grateful for. However now I wish He would begin to close some of them. This is taking a lot of trust and faith! Please pray for me as I decide to travel on a ministry team to Thailand for 2 months next summer and then for my teaching career.
God Bless.
In Christ,
Christine ><>