The older I get, the more surreal it feels. An ordinary girl who spent so much of her life feeling unnoticed, wondering if she mattered, never imagining that the Creator of the universe had known my name all along. Sometimes I just sit in awe of that. The God who spoke galaxies into existence, who holds every star in its place, also saw every tear I cried in secret, every fear I carried, every question I never said out loud. The entire time He was weaving together a story I couldn’t yet see. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that the God I spent so many years searching for had been pursuing me first. To be known by Him, loved by Him, and invited to walk with Him is more than I ever could have imagined. It still feels holy. It still feels impossible. And it still leaves me in awe.
Reflecting on my own faith journey, I can deeply relate to the profound awe in realizing that the Creator of the universe knows my name and sees me beyond all my flaws and hidden fears. Like many, I once chased fleeting validations—achievements, approval from others, and imagined futures—only to feel empty when they all inevitably fell apart. What truly transformed my experience was embracing the idea that God isn't absent during silent struggles or disappointments but is actively working behind the scenes, weaving a story I could not yet perceive. It’s remarkably freeing to accept that God’s love doesn’t hinge on my perfection but on my willingness to surrender and trust. The shared reflections on God emptying hands before filling hearts resonated strongly with me, especially during moments when prayers seemed unanswered or withheld. These times taught me to find peace not in circumstances but in the enduring presence of the Shepherd who is enough, even when life makes no sense. This gratitude for being loved first changed how I walk daily—not as someone striving to earn worth but as someone invited to rest in a love that was already there, patiently calling me by the name written before I existed. This personal journey from striving to surrender has been both holy and humbling, and it continues to inspire a profound sense of awe and acceptance in my life.
