Ten Years - Many Roads

This August marked Rebecca and my ninth wedding anniversary. This month also marks ten years of us knowing each other. Last night Joshua and I went to the CPA football game, and as I walked around the campus I got to point out the spot where we met and remember how it all started.

It actually began twelve years ago in the Fall of 1999 (if I'm right about an answered prayer). I was beginning my senior year of college. Honestly, all four years were pretty full of loneliness and depression, but my senior year was definitely the worst. I was on the tail end of escaping the trappings of a cult, but I was still caught in the nets. Socially and spiritually, I had never felt farther away from the group, but I was still entangled in ways I couldn't even understand at the time. I didn't know what I would be doing once I graduated. I was lost.

I was on my way to babysit for a family in Brentwood. I was the second choice for the job, but the first choice was unable to work that night, so they asked me. I only remember it was Fall because I remember watching a playoff baseball game after the kids had gone to bed. I also remember being exceptionally early to the house that night. Being early at that point of my life was pretty easy, mostly due to the loneliness. Anyway, I had about thirty minutes to kill, so I stopped in a parking lot of a school that I had heard of, but really knew nothing about - CPA. I stopped in the parking lot and prayed. I prayed about the loneliness and future. I prayed for hope and direction.

Not much seemed to change that senior year. I walked in May, but had to take a few classes the next summer to actually earn the degree. That summer was pretty empty of a lot of good memories. I remember a trip to LA and Spanish classes. I also remember a phone call from my friend Kori. She was asked to coach volleyball at CPA. She had a lot of playing experience, but not much coaching experience. I didn't know anything about volleyball, but had done some coaching. She asked me to be her assistant. I was going to be teaching part-time PE, so having quite a bit of free time, I accepted. Coaching volleyball turned into coaching basketball. Coaching basketball turned into coaching softball and a part-time job the next Fall teaching ... wait for it ... Life Wellness. They say God works in mysterious ways. I'm not exactly known for my wellness of life choices.

Anyway, the classroom I was given for the Life Wellness class was to be shared with a history teacher who had a friend she wanted me to meet. So, ten years ago this month (I think it was August 17th, but with the addition of Pax, I'm not quite convinced of anything I think I remember) I met a woman named Rebecca in a small classroom at CPA.

Last night, as Joshua and I were leaving the football game we walked by the room where I met his mommy and drove past the parking lot where I believe God led me to pray to show me the meticulous and grace-filled plan he had planned for my life.

It's been a full ten years. It has been full of grace and redemption. I'm thankful this morning to see God working in my life. I'm thankful he does it in ways that teach me more about his patience and his faithfulness.

As always, all of this reminds me of a song. Enjoy...