A Mighty Long Way

A Mighty Long Way
By: Mia L. Hazlett
12/11/12

As the year winds down and I take inventory of my year’s progress, I must give praise to God. He has brought my family a mighty long way. And if you had asked me a year ago if I thought I would be where I am right now, by no means could my mind conceive such a blessing.

It’s been a while…months and months and months…since I’ve written. So let me recap where exactly I was a year ago at this time. I was less than a month into a temp job after being unemployed for two years. My daughters and I lived with my parents after moving back from my friend’s house in Houston. I was two years separated from my husband and wondering if there was an upward turn to the downward spiral my life was taking.

Luckily, I stayed in prayer and faith, and my patience prevailed. You see I prayed to walk a straight path. That prayer said, I failed to recognize, God had to walk before me and make that crooked path straight. It’s kinda like when you invite someone to your house. Maybe that morning or the night before, your house has that “lived-in” look. However, when your guest arrives your house is spotless. They had no idea what your house looked like prior to their arrival, they just enjoy visiting.

Now had that person said, “Don’t worry about the house, I’m coming right over,” their visit may not had been so enjoyable. They may have to wash off a plate and fork so they can actually eat. In fact, they may have to bring the damn meal. Moreover, I hope they enjoy eating off their lap because of the cluttered table, so they now have to balance their plate as they find a spot on the couch.

That’s why I chose patience and waited on God. I’m enjoying my meal at a clutter-free table with clean dishes and silverware. I had spent so long trying to get “right over,” that I never was able to enjoy my meal. Doing things my way, resulted in starting over and losing everything. Now, I’m exactly where God wants me to be and enjoy every second of it.

My home is on the water, with a breathtaking evening sunset every night, which is viewed from my front deck. My daughters have graduated from sleeping on blow-up mattress to sharing a room and now each has their own room. Every evening the street lights determine when they need to come racing up the street on their bikes to make it back home in time.

The home setting has changed, because temporary has been replaced by permanent. In comparison to the job I had before, God has brought me a mighty long way. I can function with my integrity in tact on a daily basis. When I rest my head on my pillow at night, I don’t question what I’ve done to earn my paycheck as I did before. I look forward to work, instead of dreading another day at an abysmal asylum of dictatorship.

If there is anything that I can take away from 2012, it’s to count my blessings because they have carried me a mighty long way.