Unexpected Blessings!

God is always doing immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine out of His great love for us. Ephesians 3:16-21 says:

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

These past few months since losing my part-time job in Februray, I have been blessed to spend an incredible amount of quality time with my Grandma Wandell and also had the time then to self-publish a book of her stories at Lulu.com. The day I gave that book to her was one of the happiest days of my life.

God is always working things out in mysterious, unexpected, unimaginable ways for good! That time with my grandma was a gift. His ways fill me with wonder and awe.

Just recently, at the beginning of September, my grandmother died. I was with her to the end and throughout her battle with cancer. I will miss her a lot, but I also have much peace. On earth, my Grandma Wandell was a brave, wonderful, beautiful, kind, gracious, funny, charming, wise, and loving woman of faith. I've been so blessed to spend quality time with her the past several months and throughout my life growing up. I have grown for the better simply by being in her presence and observing her life.

One of my favorite verses 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, "Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love."

My grandma's life is a lasting legacy because she clearly lived it to love God and others. Not only does she live on here in how she changed my life for the better but also in the countless lives she touched with her kindness and love on a daily basis. I can already picture my grandma dancing and celebrating on the streets of gold in heaven, in the presence of her Lord and Savior, the One who loves us truest and best. And one day I look forward to joining her there. I love her, and I know I will see her again someday.

I am extremely grateful for what God has done in my life, but I still have no idea where He is leading me next job-wise. It's easy to get down or discouraged over what I can't yet see. I need to keep trusting God has a good plan (I can clearly see that looking back! especially everything with my grandma!), but I don't like feeling lost now! I'll just keep praying for help knowing that when His answer does come - it'll be that much more wonderful. I know I am always loved and that He is forever faithful. I look forward to the unexpected blessings He has in store and am the humble, joyous recipient of His grace.