Monday, July 14, 2008

Are you where you wanted to be???


Ree, at The Pioneer Woman, posted a question today - it hit home and HARD with me!

How is your life today compared to how you THOUGHT it would be 10....20 years ago?

Last month I turned 50!

So I guess this is a very good time to look back, see where you've been, unexpected blessings you received and missed opportunities you regret.

I don't know that regret is the correct word for things, opportunities and people I missed. Maybe it is. I don't think I'm where I thought I would be 20 years ago. I guess I thought I would be "further down the road" to the dreams I had, goals I had set, prayers I KNEW would be answered by now!

I don't think my life would ever be used as an example of "The Way To Do It" - I have probably made every bad decision, wrong choice and missed opportunity allowed in one life-time. But somehow, someway I have also experience incredible blessings, untold mercy and grace and the precious forgiveness of those I have saddened and hurt.

You don't get an instruction manual when you start this journey called "Your Life" - it's a whole lot of trial and error. God very gently gives us His guide called the Bible.....then He also gives us our will - me, he gave a very strong one!!! Because He loves us so much - He did not create us to be His little robots - He gave us choices - to live or die, obedience or stubbornness, willfulness or dependence on Him.

I have gone through so many stages of my life - some I have had to do over and over and over again!! I am a survivor - but I have made it so hard on myself at times. Most of the difficult times and circumstances I have had to endure have been because of my own doing!!

Someone looked at me the other day and said, "You have lived 5 lifetimes". I probably have. But I have also learned lotz of lessons, had many "light bulb" moments (some, a day late and a dollar short!) and many, many second chances!!!

No, I am not where I wanted to be at 50 - but I am not through, yet!....and God has promised me grace enough for today!!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I love your post today. So true, I am not where I need to be or where I thought I would be but I know that God's mercy and grace is new every morning and that is what I hold onto. Stop by anytime.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Anonymous said...

I love your post today, it does hit a nerve dosen't it !
I am not where I thought I would be 20 years ago,regrets ... sure..... am I happy tho..... Oh yes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ but its not easy,living with us is my MIL she has a from of dementia and its not easy to always smile at her when I have just cleaned up a bathroom mess.She is a sweet kind person.And I feel like an ogre in my heart, being mad at my situation.
Am I where I thought I would be God No, I wanted to travel with my hubby were both young retire's but here I am cleaning up after her every day of her life.I don't remember signing up for that when I got married, but God put this in my path and I will honour it.
Diane

Donna said...

I'm 56 sweetheart, Almost 57. I'm not exactly where I thought I'd be either...a Doctor, in the Navy...wild, huh?!!! Oh well, life has been good to me and I wouldn't trade my family for Anything...Happy night sugar! ( I hear it's Never too late)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. Yep i thought you were gone nuts,but we are from La. hehe what can I say. My friend takes me to Superior Bar and grill ever time I come. Love that lace.

Shelley said...

I followed your post from Pioneer Woman because I was touched by it. You're blog is wonderfully warm and friendly. Thought I'd say hi!

Shelley said...

Hello Donna! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. You certainly may add me to your blog roll. I'd be honored. I'll add yours too!

Glad to have you as a new blog friend!

Have a great Tuesday!

Shelley

Terri Steffes said...

I read Ree's post too and I have been thinking about it a lot. I turn 50 in November! I hope to have a thought out answer soon, because I feel like I should know this right now!

Anonymous said...

Hello Donna! This is nice and very beautiful post.

cathieb said...

Donna - perhaps you are where God wants you to be?

I may have never "met" you - and that would be so sad.

Love your post - beautiful.


Love ya,

Anonymous said...

You have something at my place.

PAT said...

This post is amazing, Donna Kay.

I started over when I was almost 38. It's really something, looking back and seeing the decisions and changes in my life. I hope I've learned something from each chapter!
In all my life, from where I came from, I never believed I would have the husband, family and home I love and enjoy so much, now in my golden years.

Thanks so much for reminding me about Terry Bradshaw. He was the one I was trying to think of. What a coincidence you graduated from Woodlawn. I guess that old Dairy Queen is long gone!

Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Pat