Thursday, September 29, 2016

The Reunion

I have never understood how time goes by so slowly during an all-day seminar or a traffic jam or a root canal procedure, but 40 years go by so fast!  I went to my high school reunion this past summer.  I knew that it would be wonderful and fun and exciting to see people at the reunion and reminisce with everyone, but if I dug deep in my heart, what do I really feel about it?  If I could say anything I wanted to say to the "Class of 1976," what would it be?

Last summer, I wrote this message, primarily thinking of those individuals who have not yet accomplished their dreams or met their goals in life.  This is what I would like to say:

"It is surreal to think that 40 years have gone by since we graduated from high school.  Forty years is a lifetime!  It's a generation, or maybe two!  What has happened during these 40 years?  Many of you are married, have grown children, maybe even grandchildren.  You've experienced successes and you've grown and learned so much about life.  We've gained the wisdom that comes with age.  Some of you have experienced disappointments, unexpected things in your life, maybe health issues, maybe the death of a loved one.  Lots of things have happened in 40 years, and our paths have taken us in many different directions.

Have you accomplished what you always wanted to accomplish?  Have your dreams from your youth come true?  Is there a goal you want to reach or something you would like to do on your bucket list?  Do you have regrets?  Has your life taken you where you wanted to go?  Maybe you found God and Jesus, as I have, to help you through the hard times of life.

I suffered an unusual disappointment, something that was completely unexpected in my life, at least from my standpoint.  I was single for many years, when I wanted nothing more than to be married and have kids.  I didn't expect my life to go that way.  I thought I would get married at age 27, which seemed to be the age I was ready to be married.  I would have kids and a house and no problems in life!  But, instead of everything falling into place like a perfect puzzle, I was pushed to the sidelines, and I watched everyone around me get married, have kids, go through all the school activities and sports, baby showers, birthdays.  I dated someone while I was in Law School and I thought we would get married, but it didn't happen.  Through my thirties, I prayed for a husband, even qualifying it by asking for someone who is "nice," and I prayed for children, a boy and a girl.  That was my dream.

Well into my forties, it still hadn't happened.  I told a friend I was giving up hope to ever get married. I told her I was not going to pray about it any more.  She took action and talked with a friend of hers, and they both set me up on a blind date.  It was with my husband, Dave, and he is such a nice guy!  Guess what?  I am a stepmom to a boy and a girl.  God answered my prayers, and I have learned in life that timing is more important to God than time.

I'm glad that I found the Lord at age 25 and I did not have to go through singleness alone.  In fact, through that time, I learned how to depend on God and how to pray and trust.  When I met Dave, I realized that God's plan and purpose for my life was unfolding, as it had been for all those years.  Just because I couldn't see the future didn't mean there was no plan.  God was accomplishing His plan all along.

Plan, purpose, and prayer.  God has a plan to fulfill your purpose in life.  Don't give up.  Your dreams will come true and the purpose for your life will be accomplished if you trust the Lord.  Timing is everything, so always be ready!"

Devotion

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."  John 6:35

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your purpose and plan for our lives.  I pray that we will not ignore our Creator.  Now is the time to turn to you, realizing that our lives are from you.  Forty years may go by, but your timing is more important than time.  I pray for those in the Class of 1976 who may be discouraged, disappointed, disillusioned, or depressed.  Please give them a glimpse of your power and your love, and prepare their hearts to learn to trust you.  I pray that they will experience the Bread of Life and truly be fulfilled.  In Jesus' name, Amen.


© 2016 Linda Lijewski