i am blessed beyond measure

I've always heard people say some variation of that. "Oh, bless your heart." "You're blessed with a pretty smile." "We've been blessed with good health." It's a phrase of Christianese that a lot of middle aged women overuse to the point of it not meaning anything anymore. So I tend to not use it. But sometimes it's the only word to really describe what's happening in my life. I look around and I'm so amazed at what God has given me! "My cup overflows."

I know high school seniors dream of graduating from high school and then taking a trip around Europe. And what am I doing this summer? I literally get a dream graduation trip. And then I get to go to Greece and tell people about Jesus. And then I get to go back and see my friend Lauren in Cambridge. And then I get to live in England for another month on top of that. God, are you serious? I didn't ask for these things. I didn't even dream of asking for these things. But you gave them to me and I can't contain my joy.

And then my life here in the States is so good that it's hard for me to leave. I have so many good friends and a wonderful church that I can truly enjoy serving and worshiping with. The other day I remembered my life four years ago. I was so lonely and though I loved Jesus and I knew he was enough for me, I had lost faith in Christians showing his love and being faithful friends. So, at this time four years ago, I can remember crying out to God and asking him for just one good friend. Only one. I look at my life now and I laugh at how little I asked God for. One? He's given me dozens and dozens and dozens since then! I have old friends and new friends, of all ages and personalities and I value each one individually. They all make me smile.

I don't say these things to boast in anything at all. These things were completely God's doing. My God is greater than my puny opinion of his power and can do anything. And this is evidenced by what he's done in my life. He's done more than I ever asked or imagined. I feel like I'm plagiarizing from a Bible verse when I say that. But it's so true. A lot of the things he's done or people he's brought into my life I never would have dreamed would become reality. Really, God? I can't believe the way he surprises and comes up with things better than I could have thought of. This is why my life is in his hands. Because he can do better things with it than I ever could.