When Life Gives You Lemons
When I was in 4th grade, my family and I went through some changes. We were living in Arkansas and my Dad got a new job up in Pennsylvania. Around the same time, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a lot of prayer, they decided that my dad would move up to Pennsylvania while my mom, brother, and I stayed where we were. I could go on to tell you about my self-struggles during this time. About how for about a six-month period I starved myself, how I felt alone and abandoned, but that would make this story super sad. And, honestly, I’m not really feeling like sharing a sad story when there is so much good that came out of that really terrible situation.
So here are the happy parts of that story. I met Jesus and asked him to be the leader and forgiver of my life when I was in 5th grade, which has changed my life completely. I moved to the amazing state of Pennsylvania and get to experience all of the history that comes with it (I still love Arkansas though! WPS!). I met some of the most wonderful people and I became invested in a fantastic church, both of which changed my life and I am forever grateful for that.
A few years later, I went through another change. That change was college. I could not tell you about all the times I cried freshman year. I had a not so great roommate first semester and I didn’t really have any friends either. I called my mom weekly, if not daily, crying about how everything sucked. But you know what? Things got better. Second semester, I got a new roommate (who was, and is, so awesome!), I made some really cool friends, and I joined a Christian sorority that changed the way I view life.
Throughout all of these changes I’ve seen God. He’s been with me at the lowest of lows and highest of highs. I’ve seen His love in so many radical ways, that the only way I can explain why something happened the way it did is because of God. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Looking back on my life, even if it is only 20-something-years, I see how God commanded me to do something, even if I didn’t know it, and He was with me. Always. No ifs, ands, or buts. He was there and continues to be there. God’s funny that way, I think. Just when things in life change, for good or bad, He’s there helping us out.
Our lives are always going to change. The only thing that matters is if we trust God to guide where our changes lead us.
- Shattered Glass - August 25, 2017
- Rising Tides Raise All Ships - January 19, 2017
- Daughter of a King - December 14, 2016
Love this, Katie! Thanks for sharing that throughout the stuff in our lives, God is with us.
The first paragraph was a little hard for me to read (xoxo), but I love the positive turn around. And I love that you have always been able to find the good in change.
You’ve learned in your 20s what it takes a lifetime for many of us to achieve – seeing the good and witnessing God’s hand in change. One of the most incredible things about your mom (to me) is the optimism which has always exuded from her, even when I first “met” her – which was not long after her cancer surgeries. I’m convinced this optimism springs from the hope that God placed within her. Love seeing it in her daughter, too. xo
Gretchen, your words were too kind! Thank you so much for the lovely comment. I also must agree with you about my mother, she is wonderful in every meaning of the word and has optimism out the wahzoo! She’s pretty great in my eyes 🙂
So much wisdom in what you have said and how you have said it, Katie. Thank you! We do not always see clearly in the present, especially in the trials, but peering through our retrospectscope, we can often find the truth and our Faithful God. Thanks for sharing that truth with us.
Hi Marilyn! Thank you for taking time to read my article and for those kind words. And I cannot agree with you more, God is always there for us even in our trials. 🙂
Awesome article, Katie, you are so inspiring! Love you!
Thank you Katie! Love you too!
I love that you love Jesus Christ & I love that you have such an awesome view of life through the eyes of Jesus Christ at such an early age! I know he has great plans for you!!
Thank you Denise for your sweet comment! I think my mom has influenced me when it comes to wisdom. And thank you for the encouragement! 🙂
Katie, Love this line – “I see how God commanded me to do something, even if I didn’t know it, and He was with me.” – Thanks for sharing your experiences of God’s faithfulness, they are such great reminders of how trustworthy He is… even in the lowest of lows! Keep trusting girl!