This resonates with me so much! I dreamed of being a journalist in NYC like Andi Anderson! But I agree that I wouldn’t change this life for anything! 💕💕💕
Beautifully said. Every change this year has required me to lean into the Lord, learn to trust Him more, and ask Him to align the dreams of my heart with his will for my life. That often requires sanctifying change to happen in me, but there’s so much beauty and peace on the other side of that surrender.
Thanks Molly! So much to love about this post but the quote about transformation happening against the backdrop of ordinary life is what I’m taking with me. I often feel I need to orchestrate transformation… yet as I look back, my most significant transformations occurred while I was simply living and not looking for them.
Also I love that assignment idea! Thanks for sharing your heart. Never stop 🤍
Thank you so much, Ricca 🫶🏼 It is so true—if we go out looking for it we usually won’t find it. But when we are just available to receiving…that’s where the magic happens. ✨😌
Thank you for sharing this Molly. It’s beautiful what God can do in our lives and how He can surprise us. But it can feel scary like you said. I fear allowing things to happen on a big and small scale. I remember one time I was arguing with God in my head because I wanted to go to a specific dollar tree but I took a wrong turn and there was one closer to me that made more sense to go to. But I was so locked into the familiarity of my favorite dollar tree. Finally I decided to just go to the closer one and give it a try…God would not be saying anything about it if it wasn’t important. When I got in that dollar tree it was like stepping into the middle of church. The conversations, the encouragement, the prayer. At the check out counter the lady said the dollar tree was her ministry and she always asks God to send her people she can pray for. I was going through a hard time with family and having trouble seeing any hope over the circumstances. I was sad and struggling to figure out ways I could help my family in my own strength. I don’t remember what I asked the check out lady to pray for me about. Maybe I asked for peace. The thing that stood out to me the most about this whole experience was God had way more in mind for me than I had. I wanted comfort in going to a familiar location and He wanted to give me comfort so much more real than that. It was a lesson I have carried with me since.
Molly, I love this. It reflects the reality of so many of our lives—where we once had grandiose dreams of success, fame, money, and love, only to find ourselves sidetracked by what seemed like lesser callings. Yet, when we compare where we are now to where we thought we’d be at 18, 25, 30, or even 35, the disappointment isn’t as profound as we might have imagined.
My dreams never made it out of my mind onto paper. They were ideas I held close to my chest, locked away in the safety of my thoughts. When I finally dared to air them out, they often lost their luster. Circumstances would shift, and I would pivot in another direction.
Now, at 60, I find myself doing parts of what I dreamed of at 18, though the journey has looked nothing like I imagined. I’m a mom of seven and a grandmother to 13, living in the quiet countryside with my closest neighbor half a mile away. I completed college in my 50s with a master’s degree while being a single parent and working full-time.
I am not famous. I am not rich. I didn’t achieve worldly success or stardom. Love, in the romantic sense, has been elusive. But despite all of that—or perhaps because of it—I am whole and complete. I have found freedom and purpose in God’s will for my life. His steady presence through the ups, downs, twists, and turns has kept me centered and humble.
I don’t stray far from Him or His will, which I seek through His Word. I openly share my mistakes, the times I’ve overcome, survived, or faceplanted—only to be lovingly picked up, dusted off, and set back on the path He has for me.
Though I am single and divorced, I’ve never been alone. I am constantly growing, learning, and embracing change as it comes—no longer with the kicking and screaming of years past, but with grace and trust in His plan.
This comment was so beautifully written!! “Despite all of that—or perhaps because of it—I am whole and complete.” Stunning. 🤍🥹 Thank you for sharing. This truly blessed me.
I could not relate to this more. So many of us spend our teenage years idolizing and romanticizing the big city life and jobs. I, too, love the slower pace of God's plan for our lives. Thank you for sharing!
Well, this is exactly what I needed to read. Thank you! But (even though I know that it’s true), the fact that transformation is slower, less radical and painful is very hard for me to handle right now. 2024 felt like a long century, even before Hurricane Helene destroyed my town.
I needed many of these words. So glad it came across my feed today.
I am so glad!
This resonates with me so much! I dreamed of being a journalist in NYC like Andi Anderson! But I agree that I wouldn’t change this life for anything! 💕💕💕
This is so beautiful! 🤍
Thank you 🫶🏼
Beautiful!
Beautifully said. Every change this year has required me to lean into the Lord, learn to trust Him more, and ask Him to align the dreams of my heart with his will for my life. That often requires sanctifying change to happen in me, but there’s so much beauty and peace on the other side of that surrender.
Yes!! This is so true Anna. I’m excited to hear more about what God has in store for you in the new year… ☺️🤍
This resonates with me so much. My life doesn’t look how I thought it would, but I’m learning that it’s so much better. 🤍
It is 🤍🫶🏼 learning to be content is such a gift!😌
Thanks Molly! So much to love about this post but the quote about transformation happening against the backdrop of ordinary life is what I’m taking with me. I often feel I need to orchestrate transformation… yet as I look back, my most significant transformations occurred while I was simply living and not looking for them.
Also I love that assignment idea! Thanks for sharing your heart. Never stop 🤍
Thank you so much, Ricca 🫶🏼 It is so true—if we go out looking for it we usually won’t find it. But when we are just available to receiving…that’s where the magic happens. ✨😌
Thank you for sharing this Molly. It’s beautiful what God can do in our lives and how He can surprise us. But it can feel scary like you said. I fear allowing things to happen on a big and small scale. I remember one time I was arguing with God in my head because I wanted to go to a specific dollar tree but I took a wrong turn and there was one closer to me that made more sense to go to. But I was so locked into the familiarity of my favorite dollar tree. Finally I decided to just go to the closer one and give it a try…God would not be saying anything about it if it wasn’t important. When I got in that dollar tree it was like stepping into the middle of church. The conversations, the encouragement, the prayer. At the check out counter the lady said the dollar tree was her ministry and she always asks God to send her people she can pray for. I was going through a hard time with family and having trouble seeing any hope over the circumstances. I was sad and struggling to figure out ways I could help my family in my own strength. I don’t remember what I asked the check out lady to pray for me about. Maybe I asked for peace. The thing that stood out to me the most about this whole experience was God had way more in mind for me than I had. I wanted comfort in going to a familiar location and He wanted to give me comfort so much more real than that. It was a lesson I have carried with me since.
Wow this is such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this. It was a blessing to read! 🤍✨
I’m glad it was a blessing to you, you’re welcome.
Molly, I love this. It reflects the reality of so many of our lives—where we once had grandiose dreams of success, fame, money, and love, only to find ourselves sidetracked by what seemed like lesser callings. Yet, when we compare where we are now to where we thought we’d be at 18, 25, 30, or even 35, the disappointment isn’t as profound as we might have imagined.
My dreams never made it out of my mind onto paper. They were ideas I held close to my chest, locked away in the safety of my thoughts. When I finally dared to air them out, they often lost their luster. Circumstances would shift, and I would pivot in another direction.
Now, at 60, I find myself doing parts of what I dreamed of at 18, though the journey has looked nothing like I imagined. I’m a mom of seven and a grandmother to 13, living in the quiet countryside with my closest neighbor half a mile away. I completed college in my 50s with a master’s degree while being a single parent and working full-time.
I am not famous. I am not rich. I didn’t achieve worldly success or stardom. Love, in the romantic sense, has been elusive. But despite all of that—or perhaps because of it—I am whole and complete. I have found freedom and purpose in God’s will for my life. His steady presence through the ups, downs, twists, and turns has kept me centered and humble.
I don’t stray far from Him or His will, which I seek through His Word. I openly share my mistakes, the times I’ve overcome, survived, or faceplanted—only to be lovingly picked up, dusted off, and set back on the path He has for me.
Though I am single and divorced, I’ve never been alone. I am constantly growing, learning, and embracing change as it comes—no longer with the kicking and screaming of years past, but with grace and trust in His plan.
This comment was so beautifully written!! “Despite all of that—or perhaps because of it—I am whole and complete.” Stunning. 🤍🥹 Thank you for sharing. This truly blessed me.
Thank you Molly. I’m glad you’re blessed by the comments. They came from the heart.
I'm just starting to learn this at 25- I have decided not to be so obsessed with destinations, but in who I am becoming as I go.
Such a beautiful thing to pursue. We are human beings not human doings after all! 😌
I could not relate to this more. So many of us spend our teenage years idolizing and romanticizing the big city life and jobs. I, too, love the slower pace of God's plan for our lives. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful post with even more beautiful reminder that sometimes we have to let go of what we thought life should be to experience it richer. ❤️
Thank you so much ☺️
Beautifully written
Thank you so much!! ☺️
Beautifully written! Greatly inspiring ♥️
Thank you so much 💓💓
Well, this is exactly what I needed to read. Thank you! But (even though I know that it’s true), the fact that transformation is slower, less radical and painful is very hard for me to handle right now. 2024 felt like a long century, even before Hurricane Helene destroyed my town.
So beautiful. I relate to your story so much.
Thank you India! I’m glad you’re here 🤗💓