Reflect back...

2009; He was there back then.

2015: He is here today.

How many times have I gotten the chance to be still and look back to my life?
Honestly, not much.
I have to say this doesn't come much often. But I realized that in order for one to be thankful and remember the goodness of God, it's always best to look back and see what he has done in the past.
Knowing this and being reminded of He's faithfulness keeps my heart rooted and hope firm in the one who has and will always be there. My life has been a sad and fun "roller coaster"  but even in those days God has been there. He was watching, he was listening, he was comforting, he was forgiving, he was with me, even in those moments I felt like he turned a deaf hear unto me and his face away from me. 

I came to understand that God sets boundaries. Like the ocean in Job He said, 'This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!'
He sets the boundaries in my life and He chooses when to extend and when to limit them.  'The Lord has bestowed us with freedom which has limits or a boundary. It is not unrestricted. ‘God limits our freedom for our own good.’ I came to find comfort in this knowing that God has always been and still is in control. Looking back up to now, I am genuinely thankful that  God didn't and doesn't still answer every prayer I offer up to him, even when I plead with tears, honestly I don't know what my life would have turned out like if he had chosen to say yes and spoiled me. But hey that just tell me how responsible and a good Dad God is. He know what's best.



I think parts of my life that I can look back to and always be thankful about is the days that God has allowed different people from all over to cross my path and sowed different kinds of seeds into my life. Because when the rain came at the right time, he allowed them to grow and caused a great impact in my life. Some came as a correction, some came as an encouragement, and some build me up and chiseled me, but it was all for my good and for His glory. I remember spending long weekends and holidays  with miss Linda and Jessica (young and old missionary women that I met at the beginning of my high school years) and then there were the days of Brian and his family. I have never fully kind of understood what he was doing all those years but looking back, now I do.
Coming from a home where my parents didn't make much and a lot of kids to raise I have always wondered how life would be if I had all that I wanted and needed. And I think this was the greatest lesson I learned during those years in my life too.  Through these people He taught me contentment, but above all that; God alone is more than enough. If there is any thing or any one I should greatly desire and long for was him. Thank God for people who points us back to Christ Himself. He showed me his love, he's kindness, and that He is a God who hears and answers prayers. 


Taking the time to reflect back to those days suddenly connects all these pieces together which leads me  where I am today. It amazes me that I have never fully realized this; that all the way my Savior led me and all through ages he has been no one else but GOD.  And He is still the same today.

This truth puts a smile on my face. It gives me great peace. It gives me assurance and hope for the years ahead.  
I have just found out that there is great joy in taking time to reflect back on God's goodness. You will discover the good and faithfulness of God that you have never been fully aware of.