Last night I had a conversation with a good friend. We were marvelling at how things we’ve wanted for so long come to pass, and it feels like “suddenly.”
She had a dream a long time ago to open a salon…she knew what she wanted the salon to look like, to be. She and her husband took a huge risk, bought a building and opened a salon. Two years into the endeavour, they are successful, growing, one of the top salons in their market. If you knew my friend, you would know that her hard work, dedication to excellences and leadership skills have taken her where she is today. Sometimes, it looks like suddenly though it has taken her a few decades to cultivate the tough lessons she learned into success.
I’ve never lived on my own. I mean really on my own. I’ve lived with family and friends for the entirety of my being. During my stint at UConn, I was ensconced in the safety of a dorm where I was fed regularly and didn’t have to make sure that the toilet paper roll was full. Next Friday, I’m embarking on a new journey–living on my own. I have friends within a few blocks of my apartment, but I am responsible for my life. I feel like I should be nostalgic, have butterflies, feel some sort of something apprehensive. Instead, I feel like a horse at the starting gate, waiting for the gun to sound, the gate to open and my legs to take me where they may.
One day I am going to write and thank all of the people who have helped me get to this place. I don’t believe in coincidences. I don’t believe that people are in my life by mere chance. Yes, people to whom I am not related have the choice to wash their hands of me and walk away. I have that same freedom. Yet, after some of the best and worst times in my life, I find you here, reading my blog, supporting me, cheering me on. I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t have some of the highest quality people in my life.
Tomorrow holds things that I cannot yet foresee. I walk boldly forth, with arms wide open, thankful for the blessings that God is pouring out upon me.
Deneen White 
I was reading Psalm 107 and thought of you. It talks about how God has delivered “Some” in various groups (See Psalm 107:4,10,17,23).
The first group are people who are wandering in the desert “finding no way to a city that they could settle”
Then they prayed and God answered:
“He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” Psalm 107:7
God is still finding places in cities like Philadelphia where you can settle in the twenty first century! God still blesses beyond belief, even when we give up.
May God continue to bless you and protect you, Deneen!
God Bless,
Mark
Mark,
Thank you for that scripture. I am steadily amazed at how God has worked out the details of my life, up to and including this move.
I really believe that God led me to this apartment for such a time as this. My spirit is really at peace here…for the first time in a LONG time.
Thank you for your encouragement. It is a blessing.
~D