Wednesday, 31 December 2008
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Most Unexpected Part of 2008?
by miss marigold 
The older I get, the more I realize how little control I have over my life. While the surprises God has thrown in my path sometimes lead to angry confusion - I can't tell you the number of times I've shaken my fists at the air, why-God-why style - there have also been a lot of surprise blessings in the form of things I initially thought were bad. Other times, I go through a rough period only for God to bring something good out of it.
There were a lot of "what...??!" moments in 2008. First, I realized I didn't want to pursue print journalism anymore after I interned at a magazine (well, there went the plans I'd made over the past 6 years or so), which meant I really had to rely on God for some much-needed direction. Thankfully, He came through and gave it to me once I worked in other places and talked to my professors about potential career paths. I didn't expect to live with my current roommate, either, a girl with whom I had an awkward relationship with when we first met as we didn't like each other very much although we were each close with our mutual friend. I'm still in awe that she's not only the person I live with, but that I now share a lot more things with her than I do with our mutual friend!The third surprise was my joining a Protestant church after growing up in a Catholic household. While I don't have anything against Catholics or Catholicism, I'm grateful for the community and growth my current church has provided me. A year ago, I attended church on campus maybe once or twice a month - now I go to church an hour away every week and attend small group during a week night! Considering how lazy I was before, I can only conclude that this motivation comes from God. Sure, I still have a long way to go in terms of doing regular QTs or living more like Christ, but I trust that if God already took me this far, He can take me even further.
What was the most surprising thing that happened to you this year? How have the "what??" moments affected your faith, if at all?
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Comments (14)
"...I realized I didn't want to pursue print journalism anymore after I
interned at a magazine (well, there went the plans I'd made over the
past 6 years or so)"
Yikes, you just described my life right now, only my career path was academia instead of print journalism. Figuring out how to reboot my occupational life--after acquiring a now-almost-useless Master's degree--means a lot of waiting-for-direction.
It's been an intense year. Career shake-ups, getting engaged, losing several pets...
The most unexpected moment for me was when the guy I've had a crush on for the past 3 and 1/2 years finally told me that he's liked me for some time now. He's quiet and kinda shy, so I was really surprised he told me.
I suppose that event kind of did affect my relationship with God. I had been asking him for quite some time about Josh (that's his name
) and it had to be a God thing that he actually told me. Now I'm waiting on God to know what to do as our relationship progresses (right now we're still doing the friends thing, until we figure out what God wants for us). God has been keeping me in line with this whole thing. I'm glad that if Josh and I date, God will be at the center of our relationship.
My most unexpected moment
was when I opened up to Jesus and
decided he was my one and only Savior.
That and meeting the guy of my dreams :)
My moment of "what?!" is when I was given the news I have atrial tachyarrhythmia. Although it is not fatal, if it does get worse, it can be. In any case, that's when I finally stopped beating around the bushes and looked up to Him. Now, I thank Him day in and day out. I'm sure He's putting everyone through hardship for a reason and I'm sure He'll guide us through it.
I can't get a job in publishing. I really didn't expect it to be this hard. I have applied everywhere and clearly I don't have the connections to get in. I have had to really trust God to bring me a job in his timing. I did apply to grad school this year and got in though. I never in my life thought I would go to grad school. Heck, I barely went to college in the first place because my parents made such a big deal about not being in debt and college being expensive. Now, I am $80,000 in school loan debt and I don't care. I am doing what God told me to do, he will handle those loans too. So...no job but in school. I can take one out of two.
The most surprising thing this year?
I lost a friend. It wasn't just any friend, he was my best friend since the 3rd grade. His attitude changed... and then he left for boarding school. He promised we wouldn't drift away, but yeh, look what happened now? We haven't seen or talked to each other since July. The last time I talked to him, we fought. And I mean, very harshly. I never thought he would say those things about me. Ugh.
2008 wasn't a very good year for me, anyway.
I met a lot of unexpected people.
Yep, my faith's been tested...but it's true. :)
I was published via Xanga/healthkicker when they used my post on their site.
Also they guy I really liked turned out to be a jerk, and I found out I was NOT in love, but in love with the idea of being in love. That really blows!
I think the most unexpected part of 2008 was God placing a job in my lap that I had no intention of applying for. All I had to do was say yes to His plan, and my husband and I ended up 1,200 miles away from our families. It has been a blessing, but definitely not one we were looking for!!
Mine would definitely be accepting Him as my savior...
I'd always considered myself a "non-practicing christian"- as if such a thing exists. I believed but it wasn't until I went through some extremely tough times (losing my job, my fiance, and feeling as though my whole universe was crumbling because of it) that I realized that in order for him to help me through them, I needed to actually follow.
And the funny thing is, I wasn't looking for Him. I hadn't prayed in years. I was moping, watching TV late at night and the 700 Club came on. I figured, what the heck? May as well watch it. I didn't get more than 5 minutes in before I turned it off and went to bed- and then, bawling, I asked the Lord for forgiveness; I'd ignored him, thought I could get through life on my own. I realized I was wrong that night.
And since then, well, things have been going really well. I have a job that I enjoy more (one that I never expected to get!) and my (ex-ex) fiance, who's a Marine, realized that it was stress and distance that made him feel out of touch, but we're back together and getting married in March.
So yeah, I'd say God is a great God. (:
I suppose there were a lot of unexpected things that happened.....all I can say is looking back, I never would have guessed that I'd be here, and in the way I got here, now! I guess that's true for everyone though, huh?
This year was pretty much a constant 'WHAT?!'.
I went on a weekend retreat, and finally truly realized what it meant to be forgiven, after calling myself a Christian for about 12 years.
God dropped a summer job in my lap (or more like threw it in my face), that was located halfway across the country and really made me trust Him to come through with it.
I lost my Godfather and two of my high school classmates in 6 months.
All three of my remaining grandparents became home-bound and now my family is taking care of all of them.
My brother was diagnosed with depression.
I became a small group leader on campus and met some of the most amazing people ever.
2008 has definitely been a roller coaster...and I'm glad that that ride has come to an end.
2009 will be a good year.
I love how unpredictable God can be. Its an adventure for sure
What you mentioned about print journalism is EXACTLY what I went through - I graduated with a degree in Journalism but after interning at the most read English daily in my country, I did NOT like it. So my career path now is very different!
Also, I never expected to fall in love with one guy and break up with him after a short period, and then REALLY be in love with another guy, who I am still with. He's the best of all the guys I've ever loved.