"High school me would be horrified to learn that the career woman she dreamt of being at that time now lives in the land of front porch swings and sweet tea. Not only that, but I married a man who says, “y’all” and shoots a shotgun. With a baby on my hip most days, I consider it “exotic travel” when I get to run a few errands alone." Funny...
I love this so very much and find myself “mm-hmm-ing” with every sentence! The younger me had so many thoughts about what life would look like, only to realize so much of what I dreamed for back then has come to fruition in far better ways through the life God led me to now. It’s beautiful when we learn to boldly embrace the unexpected! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading Bekah. I am so thankful that through writing this I am not alone in this experience. And it really isn't a one time experience either...it's an ongoing lifelong process I'm learning to embrace. Hard, holy, and good all at the same time!
I loved everything about this. I think I’m in that space of re-imagining what life looks like and when I turn down the noise, I see differently. I notice my 4 year old giving me a flower, just for me. I see the way my 2 year old and husband look at each other with love in their eyes. My noticing becomes more noticeable. Slower and more aware. Grateful for this post!
The best decision I ever made was when I gave up a job offer working in publishing in my bigger city hometown to teach English in the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin. My heart was broken and I couldn’t bear to be surrounded by so much uncomfortable familiarity any more.
Now I am married to my best friend, who grew up raising pygmy goats and shooting fish in the pond, and my life feels like a warm wool blanket in the sun instead of smothering me. Sometimes I wonder if I “ruined” my writing career with that decision, but I firmly believe I would not have had so many good things to write about now, and I’d definitely be way more cynical.
Oh I love how you described this! It sounds like you had a hard choice to make but your life now sounds so cozy!! I wonder about missed opportunities sometimes too, but I just don't think any of those things would be worth it to me compared to what I have now.
No words can express how much I needed to read this. “perhaps that is the beauty of giving ourselves permission to change—to let go of what we thought we wanted and embrace the unexpected gifts that come when we allow ourselves to surprise ourselves.” I’ve been going through a lot of changes in so many ways after becoming a SAHM to my 10 month old baby boy. I have often felt alone and misunderstood - definitely resistant to changes. I am learning to embrace it and it isn’t always easy but your writing was a beautiful reminder to keep slowing down and embracing this season God has me in. Your writing is beautiful and I look forward to reading more about your journey! I have a feeling younger you would be so proud of you.🤍
Oh my goodness. Jemy!! Thank you so much this made my day. I think she would be proud of me too! 💛 I'm so sorry you have felt so alone and misunderstood in this season. I hope you feel a little less alone today after reading. So many women relate to what you're going through. Praying God comforts your heart as you learn to embrace those unexpected surprises with grace. 💓
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!
"High school me would be horrified to learn that the career woman she dreamt of being at that time now lives in the land of front porch swings and sweet tea. Not only that, but I married a man who says, “y’all” and shoots a shotgun. With a baby on my hip most days, I consider it “exotic travel” when I get to run a few errands alone." Funny...
thank you!!
I love this so very much and find myself “mm-hmm-ing” with every sentence! The younger me had so many thoughts about what life would look like, only to realize so much of what I dreamed for back then has come to fruition in far better ways through the life God led me to now. It’s beautiful when we learn to boldly embrace the unexpected! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading Bekah. I am so thankful that through writing this I am not alone in this experience. And it really isn't a one time experience either...it's an ongoing lifelong process I'm learning to embrace. Hard, holy, and good all at the same time!
Love this, Molly!
I loved everything about this. I think I’m in that space of re-imagining what life looks like and when I turn down the noise, I see differently. I notice my 4 year old giving me a flower, just for me. I see the way my 2 year old and husband look at each other with love in their eyes. My noticing becomes more noticeable. Slower and more aware. Grateful for this post!
You said this so beautifully. I love how you are romanticizing your every day life. (: Thank you for this sweet comment.
The best decision I ever made was when I gave up a job offer working in publishing in my bigger city hometown to teach English in the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin. My heart was broken and I couldn’t bear to be surrounded by so much uncomfortable familiarity any more.
Now I am married to my best friend, who grew up raising pygmy goats and shooting fish in the pond, and my life feels like a warm wool blanket in the sun instead of smothering me. Sometimes I wonder if I “ruined” my writing career with that decision, but I firmly believe I would not have had so many good things to write about now, and I’d definitely be way more cynical.
Oh I love how you described this! It sounds like you had a hard choice to make but your life now sounds so cozy!! I wonder about missed opportunities sometimes too, but I just don't think any of those things would be worth it to me compared to what I have now.
No words can express how much I needed to read this. “perhaps that is the beauty of giving ourselves permission to change—to let go of what we thought we wanted and embrace the unexpected gifts that come when we allow ourselves to surprise ourselves.” I’ve been going through a lot of changes in so many ways after becoming a SAHM to my 10 month old baby boy. I have often felt alone and misunderstood - definitely resistant to changes. I am learning to embrace it and it isn’t always easy but your writing was a beautiful reminder to keep slowing down and embracing this season God has me in. Your writing is beautiful and I look forward to reading more about your journey! I have a feeling younger you would be so proud of you.🤍
Oh my goodness. Jemy!! Thank you so much this made my day. I think she would be proud of me too! 💛 I'm so sorry you have felt so alone and misunderstood in this season. I hope you feel a little less alone today after reading. So many women relate to what you're going through. Praying God comforts your heart as you learn to embrace those unexpected surprises with grace. 💓
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 🫶🏼
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!