Recently we registered our daughter for her upcoming junior year of school. In going through the electives, one class offered caught my attention – visual journaling. My interest was peaked. A class where you tell a story without the written word. I almost wanted to re-enter high school just to take that class!

It’s had me thinking ever since. As a woman, wife, and mother, what story does my life tell? What would the values I want to instill in my daughter look like visually? What pictures would I select to showcase how I spend my time? I’m a visual learner, so this concept really resonated with me.

If we created visual journals for all aspects of our life, it would be rather telling. We might find the extent of our organization, or lack thereof. Maybe it would be so overflowing that we’d see why we’re so overwhelmed every day. Most certainly any top-heavy or missing areas would surface.

When we look at our lives, what story does it tell? How would we describe it without words? Is it vibrant? Is the purpose of our life clear? Go ahead and create a visual journal and see what it reveals. It might just make a difference.

Life is short. Time is fleeting. Yet daily our lives tell a story–do we like what it shows?

The kaleidoscope of colour which is my life, shows the interesting choices I’ve made along the way.  ~Antie Koekie

As the evening breeze blows gently through the windows of our temporary apartment, I’m reminded of the movement God has done in our lives this past month.

We packed up our belongings, closed on the sale of our home, loaded a trailer and our vehicles, left everything familiar to us, made the 1,966 mile trek across 9 states, arrived Palm Sunday in our new hometown, set up our makeshift temporary home with minimal belongings, and got plugged into a new church family.

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind when I sit back and look at it all, but what I remember most is the incredible peace from God we have felt this past month!

The journey of this move began a little over two years ago. Stepping out in faith, God showed us what was next and led us accordingly. The wait for God’s perfect timing was often excruciating, but the uncertainties began to slowly fade in the background as we saw God’s clear orchestration before us. Without a doubt, God was in control and He knew the work needed to be done to prepare us for this move.

After just two weeks in our new state, the blessings of God’s orchestration and leading He began in us so long ago, is gradually being realized. All the growth, learning, and preparation God did in us brought us to where we are today and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Waiting on God’s perfect timing was no easy task, but I’m so glad we didn’t jump ahead of His plan for us. We are privileged to stand back now and be amazed at God’s goodness and how intricately He knows our every need before even we do!

There are still unknowns ahead of us, but isn’t that part of life? One thing I’ve learned is living a planned, predictable life isn’t what God desires. I’ve also learned that God is stirring up a movement in people … but we choose if we will join Him.

I’ve spent half my life in this town of Colorado—nearly all my adult life. I came to visit family in this town as a child and never cared for it because of the desert brown surroundings that was a far cry from the many green trees I was used to. Now that I’m getting ready to leave this town and move to the lush green area God has for us, I find myself reflecting back on the past 22 years that I’ve called this town home.

I drove into town with my belongings, a fearful and pain-filled young adult. The brown desert view reflected how I felt inside. Running, scared, and confused, I tried to create a new life for myself. Pain was the roommate I could never kick out the first 22 years, no matter how hard I tried. I remember telling my mentor, When will this pain ever end?

Looking back, my time in this town has felt like a rebuilding process–a time of assessing the damage, cleaning out the mess, and rebuilding. To be quite honest, every step of the way felt torturous, but I was relentless to keep on. God never dropped me but held me close to His side. I see now His constant presence was what kept me going.

Slowly, trials and obstacles turned into one step of obedience to God at a time out of the darkness. Pain and chaos vanished and joy and peace arrived. Fear melted away while trust in God emerged.

The frail but spitfire of a young woman I was first driving into town that day in May of 1990, feels like a distant memory. It’s hard to imagine myself where I used to be … but what is crystal clear is the reality of my life that God transformed.

I leave this town not feeling remodeled, but rebuilt. God didn’t just throw on a coat of paint in my life to cover up imperfections. He stripped me down to the bare dirt ground—not to inflict pain—but so he could begin to rebuild my foundation and framework to create the woman He desired me to be.

As I move forward to the next phase of this journey called life that God has for me, I’m energized, hopeful, excited, and can’t wait to see what God has next. It’s a start in a new chapter of my life’s story.

Take time today to reflect back on your life. It may be you’d rather forget segments, but don’t skip over. God was there in those times … lovingly waiting for you. Don’t miss an opportunity to remember what God has done in your life.