Growing up with achondroplasia, I had to learn really quickly that life doesn't always happen as you dream for it to happen. I've had my share of disappointments in life, and in love. But really, who hasn't? I came to believe that I would never find a man to love, who would love me back. I came to believe that I would never get married, live in a house with a white picket fence, and have a mini-van full of happy children. I came to the painful conclusion that I would be alone forever, sitting on a park bench feeding the birds, and watching the world pass by with sappy couples holding hands and pushing baby buggies.
After many heartaches, several buckets of tears, years of maturing, and a lot of soul-searching, I finally understood: God does answer prayer.
"I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought,
But leave my prayers with Him alone, whose will is wiser than my own,
Assured that He will grant my quest,
Or send some answer far more best!"
Or, if you're more of a Garth Brooks fan:
"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"
And, one day I did find a man to love, who loved me back. It happened a lot later in life than I ever dreamed it would happen, but it happened...and it is more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. And I now know that there was a plan all along, much smarter than the one I had.
This plan showed me how to survive rejection, upsets, pain, and disappointment. And, much more importantly, it showed me how to look for the little blessings among it all...I just needed to have the strength and patience to find them.
I am a much stronger and patient woman now. And so is Greg (not the woman-part, of course, but you know what I mean). Rather than waiting for our big dreams to come true, we look for the little blessings that are given to us because we know... they are better...much MUCH better.
Greg and I were engaged for a year--enough time to plan a ridiculously over-the-top wedding (Sorry, Dad!), and celebrated our 1st year anniversary this past May.
First comes love...Check.
Then comes marriage...Check.
So, now what?
:) Stay tuned.
