Excited to grow up?

           I used to be excited to grow up...now it's kind of scary.  I'm not excited to grow up--I will always be a kid at heart--I'm more excited to start my career.  Tonight made it even more exciting!  Some of you may know that I was abused by my dad (that post will come another time) but throughout all of my past, it has made me who I am today and I wouldn't change it for anything.  My past has helped me figure out what I want to do with my life...and that is become a therapist for victims of abuse.
          One of my old therapists called me last week to ask me if I would come in and talk with a girl she is seeing.  At first I was thinking to myself, "I can't do that", "What if I get triggered and fall back into my old habits?"  After all that negative thinking, I started praying and asking God to help me and give me the strength...afterall, God did give me this wonderful opportunity!
           I went there tonight kind of nervous but the whole way there I just turned on my Christian music and asked God to give me strength.  God does provide.  After the session with the girl, I was once again reassured that this is the career God wants me to go into.  Having the opportunity to give people hope is amazing!  We all go through hard times but with God's help, we can get through it.  Everything happens for a reason and I'm starting to see why things happened to me.
           Throughout all the trials in our lives, we need to Hold fast.  Hold fast has became my life motto.  It's a term used by sailors when they let the anchor down to hold fast (hold on tight) so they don't fall overboard.  That's the same thing in life...whenever life seems like a storm and you can't get out of it, Hold fast because everything will be okay in the end.  Hold fast onto God's word, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;" Hebrews 10:23.  
           Last week I got a tattoo.  It says Hold fast and the "H" turns into the child abuse ribbon.  I love it so much and it is such a great reminder whenever life gets tough.