Journey of a Thousand Miles

He took me away from bad exes and healed me from the guilt and shame. He forgave me for that mess. He taught me how to express my emotions. He showed me how He can use my suffering for his good. He got me a job and my car and answered my prayer for a good boyfriend. He helped me to let go of negative friendships. He is teaching me how to forgive. He brought me home to my family. He wants me to experience joy again. He wants me to laugh again. He wants me to experience His love for me. He wants me to use my talents for His good. He wants me to find freedom in forgiveness. He wants me to know true love and stop hiding behind so many layers of hurt. He wants me to heal others. He answered my prayer for a sweet man who loves me for me. He has kept me from dying or getting ill. He has given me all my limbs and parts. He provided jobs for me when I needed money. He provided unemployment when I lost my jobs. He gave me Recovery when I needed help. He gave me counselors. ...

I wrote this when I was 26 years old. I am 33 now, and I still want to be this type of woman:  I want to be the type of woman who loves, appreciates, and accepts herself, imperfections and all. I want to be the type of woman who is not embarrassed by herself, but is gentle with herself. I want to be the type of woman who is gracious to herself and doesn't beat herself up. I want to value the experiences I've had and the lessons I've learned, even the hardest of lessons. I want to be the type of woman who knows who she is and doesn't let anyone else tell her otherwise. I want to be the type of woman who stands up for herself and doesn't back down for anybody. I want to be the type of woman who stands apart from the crowd, who shines out with confidence and doesn't back down out of insecurity. I don't want to hide who I am; I want to give glory to what God has given me. I want to be at ease with myself and at ease with life, knowing that I am exactly where I...