I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

As a young girl, I remember seeing an especially pretty greeting card on my mother’s kitchen shelf. The greeting card was a landscape design, sketched in pencil and drawn so intricately. My mother loved to send cards to her friends and family for special occasions. So when I expressed how much I liked that particular card, I recollect my mother telling me, “This card was drawn by a woman with a pencil between her teeth because she did not have use of her hands.” I don’t recall the artist’s name, as this exchange between my mother and I happened so many years ago. However, the artist’s strength of mind, patience and persistence to bring her gifts to the world inspire me to this day.

Little by little, life’s challenges may have weakened you. Possibly, something occurred that caused you to undervalue yourself. Maybe, you feel as though you have reached your limit. Or, sometimes, you might think you are not qualified; you’ve made too many mistakes; or you’re inferior and don’t have what it takes to succeed in the future. Although this artist’s example reveals to me that regardless of conditions we, too, can be courageous and determinedly set out to live exactly as if we have never been afflicted.
Despite what happened in your past, your life has great worth and meaning. Remember, you are not alone, God goes before you always; and in times of hardship, He holds you the closest.

Stop looking at where you’ve been and begin to focus on where you can be today and tomorrow. For the thing that you are going through right now, cannot stop the great plans that God has for your life. Trust and rest that, “Everything is going to be alright.” In the Bible, it tells the story about the man with the withered hand. Jesus had just healed a man at the pool of Bethesda. And behold, he saw the man who had a withered hand. Jesus felt compassion for him. Then, Jesus asked the man to stretch out his hand.
The man didn’t give up on himself. Or allow a challenge to stop him from going forward. Nor did he become fearful or get stuck in the past. He stretched out his hand, and it was completely restored as whole as the other. (Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11)

The life of the man with the withered hand counted. And your life counts, as well. You are God’s great and wonderful workmanship. For, you are, “God’s treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7:6) “the apple of His eye.” (Psalm 17) “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) Don’t give up on yourself or on your precious dreams. No matter the circumstance, regardless of what stage of life you are in; and/or despite past struggles,

God is not finished with the divine plan He has for you yet. There are still wonderful goals within your grasp. Recently, a reader wrote, “Several years ago, I wrote to you after finding one of your articles while I was walking my dogs. I saw newspapers blowing in the street. So I picked them up, and your article was right on top. The article was relevant and helpful to me at that time in my life. It told that my life mattered and God still had a plan for me. So I wrote and shared my story with you. Now, I am 11 years recovered, and grateful for every day God has given me. Letting go of the past is not quite so easy, but I keep trying.”

Remember, there is nothing in your path that is too big for God to turn around for your good. God’s gracious hand is upon you. Hence, have faith and believe in yourself, for you can meet success with the next step you take ahead. So stand up and walk forth step by step to those aspirations which are before you. Choose to set your thoughts and words on the good, on the just, on the admirable, and do not consider any other. Think about it this way: Your mind is a revolving door. When a defeating, discouraging thought comes in, spin it out! I read about the Maguey plant, with its thick, coarse leaves, prickly thorns and sharp spikes. Over the years, the Maguey develops, but it appears to be average and insignificant. The plant can be overlooked, disregarded, seeming to be stagnant. Yet, as the Maguey plant continues to mature, suddenly, it blooms, and is adorned with thousands of lovely, fragrant, yellow flowers. The potential was always within the Maguey for glory.

As with you, your great potential is there, although it can be hidden underneath hurts and disappointments. But, God wants you to go further, higher, in every good area. So, do not become complacent or stagnant. Continue to stretch, reach and grow. Challenge yourself to be the best you that you can be. Start seeing yourself as the significant person that God made you to be. And soon, like the Maguey, you will bloom to your full potential and make a difference in others’ lives.
Once, I saw a bumper sticker that read: “Only as high as you reach can you grow,
Only as far as you seek can you go,
Only as deep as you look can you see,
Only as much as you dream can you be.”
You can make your life all you desire it to be; for you possess everything you need within your heart and soul to lead a joyful, meaningful and successful life. Therefore, smile again. Love again. Believe and dream once more. Be a blessing to others. Go out of our way to perform acts of kindness, and stay excited about the awesome life that God has given to you.

Always have something for which to look forward. If you press on to become better in your life and don’t quit, you’ll find that great and exciting doors will open up for you. You are truly God’s masterpiece.

Written by  Catherine Galasso – Vigorito

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