Twenty years ago today, I drove into Colorado Springs in my little red Honda after a thousand-mile trip across America’s heartland to start a new life at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
When I left my home, friends, and family in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin to move here, I had no idea what joys and challenges the next two decades would bring.
I didn’t really know anyone when I moved to Colorado (except a college friend and her husband). So I set about making new friends—and I have some amazing and wonderful friends here today.
Yet through all of the challenging times and the good times, God showed himself faithful and I learned some valuable life lessons.
A Look Back
Over the past 20 years, a lot has happened. Let’s take a quick look back:
• I moved 8 times in 8 years (not always by choice, but that’s another story for another day).
• I worked at some interesting jobs—at a literary agency, a book publisher, a radio ministry. I was also a freelance marketing copywriter.
• I met some fascinating people along the way at my various workplaces, like: Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham), Roma Downey, Mark Burnett, Dr. James Dobson, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Lee Strobel, Eric Metaxas, John Eldredge, Eugene Peterson, Victor Marx, Brennan Manning, Bruce Wilkinson, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Dr. Ben Carson, Gary Chapman, Dr. Tim Clinton, Denver Moore and Ron Hall (“Same Kind of Different As Me”), Vice President Mike Pence (before he was VP), Karen Kingsbury and others.
• Sadly, I got laid off from jobs twice because of the sagging economy. When times were hard (and long months of unemployment), I worked at whatever jobs I could find to support myself—like pizza delivery—while also freelance writing.
• And, I’ve had a few heartbreaks from broken dating relationships along the way. But learned from them essential life lessons about how to process pain and loss, and find new hope and joy again.
• I wrote 3 books: “Power Prayers for Women,” “Praying with Power When Life Gets Tough,” and “When Love End and the Ice Cream Carton Is Empty”—a breakup recovery book to help others get over their dating relationship breakups, too.
Lessons Learned
As look back, I see how God helped me through the tough times—like 18 months of unemployment, breakup pain from severed relationships, and healing from major knee surgery.
I learned total dependence on God, as he taught me to get my eyes off my turbulent circumstances around me, and look to Jesus, the one who gives peace in the storms.
I learned that God provides—even when I am down to my last dime with “8 miles to empty” on my odometer and needing gas for my car.
I learned deeper levels of love as God used friends to help me through tough times with an unexpected bag of groceries or a check in the mail.
As I emerged from seasons of challenge and change, I became stronger as a Christian and as a woman.
I found my voice.
I learned to stand up for myself, to ask for what I really need, and set boundaries so I could be my best self in dating relationships and in friendships.
I learned that I was worth being loved well.
And, that when you’re down to nothing, God is up to something.
He is faithful. He never fails.
A Look Ahead
As I look ahead, I choose to be a woman of joy and peace. I choose to trust God every step of the way—day by day, choice by choice.
It’s not always easy, but with the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of me, I have grace and strength for each new day.
Currently, I’m enjoying working for a radio ministry and writing two blogs—the blog you are reading on my website and the Living Single Blog on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk website.
In addition, I’m working on creating an online course and writing my fourth book. More on those items in the coming weeks.
I love being out in nature and appreciating the beauty of God’s creation. Every morning I see the sun rise in the east and light up the mountain range like footlights on a stage. Glorious!
I am grateful. God is faithful in all of life’s seasons—the hard times and the good times.
Each day is a new beginning, a chance to start again. And that is a very good thing.
What About Your Life?
Thanks for listening to my story. Now what about you?
I pray that you would take time to look back on your own life, too, and see how God has been faithful through the years in the good times and the hard times.
Then pray about all God has for you today, and in the coming days. Talk to Him and share your heart. He is always listening and He will answer.
May you find joy despite circumstances, beauty in the simple things and a settled peace because God loves you more than you know.
The best days are ahead.
–Jackie M. Johnson
Leave a message in the comments below on how God has been faithful in your life.
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