Life’s been sweet lately. (It’s no surprise that dessert has always been my most favorite part of the meal!) I’ve had the time of my life in California. Some say I’m on a “PSI high.” But I think my heart’s been awakened more than anything.

I walk around with my head up, enjoying the trees, listening to the birds. It sounds very cliché, as if I’m Snow White. I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m happy to be alive. I have great hope for the future. I’m EXCITED.

The way I think about life is something I’ve learned from a combination of the people that I’ve crossed paths with. I’ve also read books by motivational speakers, writers, pastors and spiritual teachers. I was raised as a Christian/Protestant. I was baptized into Christianity. When I was older, I became part of the Nichiren Buddhism group. I never really understood what I was chanting. At another point in my life when I was in college, I became a “proud” atheist who didn’t believe in God. I had turned away from Him.

But I couldn’t do it on my own. So I eventually turned back.

Now, I’ve witnessed God’s power in so many different ways. Some people like to call it the universe, the unknown, spirituality. But no matter which way I looked at it, I’ve always known it was God’s doing. His timing. I had to learn on my own. He never left me, but I left Him.

Like a lost sheep, I came back when I was hungry. Hungry for life, love. I wanted to be cared for. God was never mad at me. He always showed me unconditional love.

I always tested His love. Asking for signs, some kind of symbol to show me that He was still there. When He showed me, sometimes I still didn’t believe it. Coincidence was what I called it.

But now my faith is stronger than ever. I’ve seen the IMPOSSIBLE become POSSIBLE. When all odds seemed against a favorable outcome, God came through. It didn’t matter which human being was in control. It didn’t matter what was said in court. God had the final say and judgement. Just one breath of His grace and the situation changed right before my eyes.

I can still be an impatient child of His, but I’m learning that things happen for a reason. It happens on His timing. I’ve also come to realize how He removes certain people in and out of my life, and for that I am very grateful. The right people who belong in my life will come and stay.