22 Years

So today is my birthday, I have turned 22 years old! As Taylor Swift has so famously sang, "I am feeling 22!" It is hard to believe that I am already 22, where did all of last year go?! I cannot believe I have graduated from college and turned another year older. It has been a year of ups and downs, world travels and immense spiritual growth--my 21st year has been one of the best years and I look forward to my 22nd.Well as I have mentioned a few times I have struggled with my insecurities and have one too many times questioned my self worth. But in the past year I have really cracked down on addressing these issues and working with God to recognize my worth. But of course I have slip ups every now and again and this week I had some minor moments, so today as I journaled, I realized how special today is and how special we all are as children of God.I was born 22 years ago today, but God had me planned long before then. So if think about it God has not only guarded, guided and loved me for 22 years but has loved me long before I was even born. Just as God has guarded, guided and loved you from the moment you were born--and even when you were still in your mother's womb. What a beautiful thought! God planned us to all have a purpose and has been gently guiding us our entire lives. Today on my birthday I realized just how powerful it is to declare that I am God's and that I have continually rested in God's hands.Psalm 139:13-15 (One of my favorite passages. If you ever question your purpose or worth please refer to this passage, you will be reminded that you were made with incredible intention)."For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth."We are fearfully and wonderfully made. The passage declares that all the works of the Lord are wonderful--and you are one of those works. YOU ARE WONDERFUL. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU ARE LOVED. Please remember these things and tell yourself this mantra everyday. Accept the love of God into your hearts, he wants so badly to show you just how special and loved you are.God created us to be his hands and feet in this world. I was born and given life to commit myself to listening for God's call and acting on that call. I was born to serve my fellow sisters and brothers and to serve God. What a wonderful thought, my life is in God's hands, his hands are my resting place. Brothers and sisters, I just cannot quite get over this beautiful thought. God has called each and everyone of us by name to our own special purpose.Isaiah 43:1"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do NOT fear, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name, you are mine."We were God's before we were born, the moment we entered into the world, every moment on earth and in heaven. Wherever we go, God goes with us. Friends I write this post so that you will take a moment and think about how wonderful it is to be loved by a God who guides us, loves and knows us inside and out.Let the One who calls you by name into your heart. I promise you will look back and see how God has always guided you and that God will continue to always be there for you.Deuteronomy 31:8"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."Sisters and brothers, God goes before us and with us have no fear you are in strong and trustworthy hands.May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.