The Best Things Come Last

I am inhaling and exhaling, not because I am overwhelmed with grief, anxiety or fear. This breath is bringing life to every fiber of my being because of what I know and understand right now. This moment is a full circle moment, not necessarily because the book is done and available. It's a full circle moment because of every moment that had to happen first before this could be tangible and real.

You can experience so much opposition or perceived failure that you begin to believe that your best days are in your memories. When you start something new, it can feel like all of hell has gathered to either make you quit or you may interpret opposition as a sign that it's not for you. We will climb mountains, jump in the ocean with no life jacket, and run into a room we had no time to prepare for to support our husbands, cover our children, and show up for those we love. We also have to be that committed to the things we pursue, our gifts, and our dreams. The things on our hearts are just as important because the best things come last.

Through putting others first, we learn to love without condition. We become natural givers, and being selfless, becomes our nature. In our minds we separate that from our need to be who we were created to be, but in actuality it creates a firm foundation and a spring board for us to launch into the deep. My initial motive for my "why am I here" questions were selfishly motivated. I wanted to feel fulfilled and valued, for me, not for others. I gave so much and I resented the fact that what others desired was happening while I sat on the sidelines.

When you begin to see your life and your experiences as a place to grow and a place to sow into others, things begin to really align. Opposition becomes fuel, and the answer no builds strength. If what you are doing, desiring, or pursuing is solely for you, you are dreaming too small. When your focus changes from self to others, it creates capacity and honestly it gets God's attention because our hearts begin to reflect His. It was in those moments that I began to understand every no, wait, delay, and opposition.

We talk about tests all the time, but I think life in general teaches us what we are ready for and what may take more time. I can remember a time when fear paralyzed me so that life changing opportunities passed me by. I have learned if I am afraid, in most cases, it's a do it anyway moment. I remember when I used to interpreted opposition as a no. I quit way too easily and in that I learned, anything worth having would take pursuit, work, and it requires me to do everything I can do. With prayer and consistent action, I learn what is truly a no. I make no assumptions because sometimes a no comes because there is a better yes.

I sit here in awe of God because He does all things well. He was right. It was always His plan, and as doors open and opportunities that make me afraid present themselves, I can rest in the fact that He saves the best for last. This place in life represents the end of old things and the beginning of new things. When He promises your latter will be greater, trust it, believe it, and ask for capacity for it. Being overwhelmed by good feels similar to being overwhelmed by bad. Embrace it, let the waves crash on you because you have capacity here, and you can swim in the deep now. The reflection you see is a collaboration of His plan and your yes.