J is for Journey

I'm Jerralea and I'm on a journey.  My journey's destination is that heavenly city. Along the way, my goal is to become more and more like Christ.

It's a worthy goal but not easy.

I started on this journey when I was 14.  All these years later, I'm still traveling but the way is not as smooth as I first envisioned.

My path through this journey is not a straight shot.  I walk on a narrow path with twists and turns.  There are mountain-top experiences and times when I'm plunged into a dark valley.

Some of my valleys have included dealing with a loved one who was an alcoholic, infertility, job loss, a bi-polar spouse, becoming a breadwinner, giving up some of my dreams, and a flood. There was also disappointment and heartache over the choices made by some of my loved ones... and by me.  There's no disappointment quite like the one when you yourself have messed up and there's no one else to blame!

BUT the mountain-top experiences were awesome and joyful.  The births of my three daughters were wildly happy times for me.  There have been people and good times that have brightened my life. I've had interesting work and challenging positions that stretched me and made me grow.

There's a quiet contentment on this journey, knowing that I'm on the right path and knowing there is One who will guide me every step of the way if I but let Him. I'm covered and sheltered under God's grace as I keep on going.

What about you?  What does your journey look like?

This post was written in community with the April A-Z blogging challenge.  To read others' work, go here.