Looking Up

I stared out into the spectacular blue curvature of the earth as we sat at the humble little café situated near the end of the weather worn pier at Ocean Beach. An 8x11 paper was folded to form a triangular advertisement of the day’s specials and shared its space with one of my favorite scriptures.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

The words began to rush over me like the waves that surrounded us… gentle at first until the force of its energy came crashing down causing the water beneath it to become displaced for just a little while. I allowed my mind to mull over the wilder pieces of my younger years. I may have been able to navigate myself through the streets of San Diego, but I was really lost.

Thankfully, my life is so different now. I’m not sure I can say I’m thankful for the actual events that led me to hit rock bottom, but I am thankful there was an end to aimlessly wandering alone all the while pretending like I was fine.

The last several weeks have been more than a stroll down memory lane. Memories have come alive… good and bad. It’s as if I sat on a mountain top and looked down at the uphill windy road I traveled to where I am today. Some roads, regretfully, I took by choice. And, sadly, some roads I was simply made to take… but either way, it’s the road I was on to get where I am today. And where I am today is not so bad. In fact, it’s pretty good.

And all along, He knew the plans He had for me. Plans for good, with a beautiful future filled with hope.

I certainly haven’t arrived at my destination, but looking up seems much less treacherous than looking down.