Debbie Vollert (Campbell) (1971)
I was driving home today and thought of some things I will never be or have. Maybe you have a list like this and we can share how they compare to how our life actually turned out.
I’ll never be a stewardess. They no longer exist. They are now called flight attendants, which seems less glamorous than what I thougth it would be. They work hard and have impossible demands placed on them as seats get closer and overhead bins get stuffed as people bring on more luggage. When I was 16, I wanted the glamor I read about in the Coffee, Tea or Me books. But like the Garth Brooks song, Unanswered Prayers, I’m so pleased with the plan God had for my life. I married the love of my life and we are still together. Had I pursued being a stewardess, I might not have had the wonderful husband I do or my daughters and their families.
I’ll never have a Corvette. It was something I always thought I’d have once the kids were out of the house. Now, I’d rather have the extra money it would have cost in a savings account. I can use it to help people or organizations in need, buy fun things for my grandkids or travel.
I’ll never be five foot two with blue eyes and blond hair. I sometimes say that was the only goal I ever had. I‘ll always be five nine and a half with brown eyes. I once had highlights so heavy that I looked blond and it was fun for a while but it was also a lot of maintenance. The brown hair has been replaced with mostly gray hair now. I used a typewriter, keyboard, mouse and 10-key adding machine for 40 plus years without getting carpel tunnel syndrome. I was probably just the right height to keep my hands correctly positioned to prevent it.
I once wanted to emulate some of the things others around me did. Again, I thank God for unanswered prayers (although I didn’t pray to be a stewardess or any of things I wanted to emulate). I eventually developed into someone who had enough self-esteem to be her own person and to work on being who God wanted me to be. I’ll probably never be completely who He wants me to be but I have developed a heart for where people are in their relationship with Him and what it will be like for those who spend eternity outside the presence of God. I’m so grateful for my friend who took me to a church where I learned that God wanted a relationship with me so much that He allowed His only perfect Son to become the final sacrifice for my sins.
God has answered many prayers throughout my life. Sometimes the answer was “no,” sometimes it was “yes” and sometimes it was “wait.” I’m most grateful for one particular prayer God answered. When I was still in high school, I prayed that God would let me have a husband who went to church. I was too bashful to go on my own and God sent me Kenneth.
What did you want to be or have? How did that turn out for you?
|