I’ve come to trust not that events will always unfold exactly as I want, but that I will be fine either way. The challenges we face in life are always lessons that serve our soul’s growth. – Marianne Williamson

This little guy is my friend Asher. I spent nearly everyday with him during my last unemployment stint so I grew quite fond of him. 🙂

I was dying to use my Christmas Story leg lamp cookie cutter and he was dying to help me bake, well, turn on the mixer that was full of flour. I’m grateful for Bounty the quicker picker upper. 🙂

After we finished baking (this cookie cutter was an epic fail, I might add), it was time for him to go to bed. Part of getting ready for bed also included taking his medicine. His mom was hesitant in giving it to him because earlier that day he *rejected it all over her. So, I had to be the “bad guy” and help his dad give him the medicine.

I held him tightly while dad worked on getting the medicine down. Of course, Asher cried, he kicked, he did everything in his power to resist the medicine. But we pursued on because we knew he needed his medicine to make him better.

It got me thinking (like I always do) about all the times my Father had to give me medicine in the form of closed doors, terminated relationships, heartache, jobs not received, jobs not renewed, and most importantly humility. As I kicked and screamed, and did everything in my power to resist, He held on. He knew how much stronger I would be for the medicine. I’m sure he felt bad for playing the “bad guy” just like I did with my little friend Asher.

Recently, I was reminded through the actions of another, the woman I use to be. A woman full of anxiety, stress, worry, and a constant need to be in control. At first, I was embarrassed and repulsed because that use to be me. But then I was grateful; grateful for all the *medicine that the Lord administered to me in order to make me free, at ease, and full of peace.

So as I make the journey to close out the year 2012, I am reminded of this…

Do not allow negative experiences to make you bitter. They should make you wiser, and with that wisdom you shall find joy. – Leon Brown

Merry Christmas 🙂