Unfinished Story

If you are expecting a nice story about obstacles overcome, complete with a sugar-coated ending, you will be sorely disappointed. This is a story about real life, the life that I suspect many of you are living, the happy ending still elusive.

“The life unexamined is the life not worth living,” somebody famous once said. So, join me as we take a bird’s eye view of my life. I probably should tell you my file cabinet is filled with many attempts scribing my journey, but I will share the Reader’s Digest of the Reader’s Digest version.

I am in a sunday school class and the “wordless book” is described. Somehow, at a young age, I connect with the black sinful heart, red blood of Jesus, white purity, oh how I wanted that, and I make the commitment to the extent a young child raised in a “Christian” home can. There is the gold page, but I am interested in the white page, and the green cover representing life and growth.

Three siblings, a mother with issues (I was much later to understand), scientist father, all combine to provide natural fodder for this beautiful growth I was eagerly anticipating.

Looking back, I now recite the mantra, “God is faithful.” But in the moment, in multiple moments of my life, I did not and do not shout that out with great glee.

People talk about coincidences, but they would be wrong. It is the eyes and hands of God that guide our trip through this life. At a young age, He miraculously sent special relationships: teachers (sunday, school, music), father, aunts, grandmother, neighbors.

Above all, through Holy Spirit, perfect scripture verses flow. One more thing. I can’t forget music; words from beautiful old hymns and the new modern worship songs. I will leave you with one of my favorite verses and pick up my “Unfinished Story” next month.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” Genesis 50:20a

[In her retirement, CJ Austin continues to read, write, publish and share insights from her professional background (marriage and family therapy) with others. Contact: cjaustinauthor@gmail.com]