Saturday, March 6, 2010

What do you want to be when you grow up?


This is a question that you have at least heard once in your life. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Usually, if we're young, we answer with a simple, "Oh, I want to be a doctor." or, "I'm going to be policeman." or, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a ballerina." The particularly young sometimes answer with especially innocent answers, such as "I want to be a daddy," or "I want to be a princess."

But as we begin to grow older, the thought of what we want to be often baffles us. When asked the question, we can only respond lamely with, "Oh, I'm not sure yet." Those asking the question will smile and offer some advice, or encouragement, and then we're left alone with the uncertainty of the path ahead, more confused and unsure than before.

Because truthfully, how do we know what we want to be? Can we really count our dreams as the fuel for the future? How can we be sure as to what is the right path to take?

That is the biggest thing. How do we know that what we hope and dream for, and who we want to become - how do we know that that's the right way to go? Are all of our ambitions and wishes to come to naught? Do they really even matter?

Faced with this, we lose all sight of what we could become. "Oh, but I'm not good enough to become this." or "I'll never be able to be like that, so why even try?" When faced with the fear of inadequacy, we balk and shy away from the possible future. If it's an impossible dream, why even hope, much less try?

But how do we know what is impossible? Where is the line between reality and fantasy when it comes to life?

How can we be sure that what we're on is the right track?

When confronting this, we are wishy-washy with decisions. "Maybe I should have done this," we think, or "Was that the right choice?" We doubt our ability to clearly and concisely choose between the right or the wrong. Everything becomes horribly gray, instead of the black and white; gone is the clarity, and in comes blurriness.

We have all faced this at one time or another. The future can be scary--the fear of the unknown cripples people to such a degree that they cannot, and will not, move. Anything new is frightening--anything unknown is to be steered away from.

The many paths that we will take in our lives are like flickering candles. A gust of wind comes and one goes out--the flame cannot live. We are left with the other ones. We are left trying to find which candle to hold, to cherish. Which candle is the one to choose? Which path shall we take? Which road is the right one?

Where are our lives leading us?

We don't know. We won't ever know completely. And that's what scares people. That's what cripples them with fear to such a degree that they are unable to move ahead--to move forward.

But He knows.


Jeremiah 29:11 says:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you. He knows what He has planned out--He knows. His plans are not to harm you--but to prosper you. They are plans that are given especially to you--uniquely created for you, and your life. They are plans to give you hope. They are plans to give you life. They are plans to give you a future.

God will not abandon you. He will be with you as you learn who you are, and are to be. He will be with you no matter what--He knows the plans for you.

Gone is the fear of the unknown. We can throw off the cloak of uncertainty and embrace the future--embrace what is coming. We have nothing to fear--God knows the plans for our lives. He planned it all out--He has it all ready. We just need to embrace that.

He knows what we will do. He knows where we will go. He knows who we will become.

He knows.

When asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We can now respond. "I'm going to be who God created me as--who that is, I'm still learning. Maybe I'll be an artist--or perhaps an author. I don't know, but I'm following His path. I will be who I am."

After all, that's the best person to become. ;-)

67 comments :

  1. Wow Hannah! God is going to use you in an amazing way! You always write the most encouraging, powerful, and thought-provoking posts! May God bless you!

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  2. Great post. I think everyone can relate to that at some period in time.

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  3. Great post, Hannah. You write the most powerful posts:]

    Love&Blessings,
    Milli

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  4. Dearest sister, this was absolutely beautiful and what I needed to read today. That verse is one that God has been speaking to me about as I wait for Him to unfold the plans for what is up ahead.

    Just to give you a clue as to why this meant so much to me...

    When I was in 4th grade, I wanted to be a cheerleader, singer, teacher, writer, and a butterfly. :D

    In any case...

    Over the years, I have been able to do all of the above (even have amazing freedom as a butterfly through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit---the Spirit of freedom!).

    In 2 months, I will be graduating with a degree in practical ministry of worship leading. Before that, for 10 years I was a high school English teacher as a missionary in a public school...Yes, dear. You are absolutley right. God KNOWS. I'm so thankful!!! :)

    I don't know what is up ahead, but I know my Father, and He knows, and I am going to trust and celebrate His amazing goodness and love. He has always been so faithful to me.

    My life is now hid in Jesus Christ. I've been crucified in Christ and I no longer live, but He lives in me, and the LIFE I live in the body I live by FAITH in the One who loved me and gave Himself for me. He is now my LIFE, TRUTH, WAY. The desire of my heart now is to know Him more. Just because He gave me His Love, and now I can Love Him in return. He is so amazing! He KNOWS my way. I will trust Him!!!!!!!

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  5. Thank you for that, Hannah. That greatly encouraged me!

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  6. Good post, Hannah. You're right- sometimes it is hard to discern what we should do in the future. But in reality, it isn't ours to discern- it's Gods. It's like you said in Jeremiah 29:11. God has a plan and a future for us. We just have to wait until he reveals it.

    Jake

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  7. To me what I am doing now means more than what I will do when I am an adult. Why wait until I am grown up to do something with my life? If I am doing something good with my life right now, there is a good indication that it will continue on into my future.

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  8. Incredible! You really know how to put life experiences into words. That is a rare gift indeed and you spell it out beautifully.
    I loved the ending too. How you closed out your post with a verse and a touch of hope that made a powerful message.
    Awesome!

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  9. I love your posts Hannah! They are always so encouraging!:)

    Amber

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  10. Writing this well, is there any question what you will be when you grow up? ;:D

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  11. Sal,
    Hi Sal,

    I'm sorry that what I wrote came across that way. What I was basically trying to say is, no matter what, we don't have to be worried about our future, because God has it all planned out. That isn't saying that we shouldn't be doing good NOW--it's just saying that God's in control. No matter what happens in the future, we can be assured that He has a plan for us. That is not to say that we should not be doing good now, nor what we're doing now will impact our future. It's stating that no matter what, God is there, and He has a plan.

    Blessings,
    --Hannah

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  12. Now I am sorry too. I didn't mean for it to come across that way. I totally agree with every word you said. I just wanted to add my thoughts. I do look forward to my future and what God has for me, for while that's all I thought about instead of focusing on where I am right now. I don't want anyone else to be stuck in that rut. But what you said is very true. Sorry for the confusion.

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  13. I've been thinking about this a lot lately myself...I just recently went to a vocation discernment retreat in Michigan, and it's really got me thinking and praying. But for right now, all I can do is just be the person I know I am meant to be at this moment, trust in God, and look forward to an exciting future dedicated to His Glory! Thanks for posting such a lovely reminder. :)

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  14. Great post and question. I don't know the answer for me yet!

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  15. Great post! I have always wondered what I wanted to become, but as you pointed out, God already knows. Give Him your life and let Him have full control. He will give you the desires of your heart- according to His will of course, but He is always out for your best. Thanks for the post.

    In Christ,
    Joshua :)

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  16. This is very good, you can't go wrong and also have doubts like. I should have never done this... Just piece that it was what you were supposed to do. It worked for me. :)
    I am following your blog now. Come to my blog and let's be friends.
    Gros bisous.
    Frenchy

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  17. I'm 47 and still ask myself that question sometimes...

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  18. Love those verses: Jer. 29:11-13. God is so good to know and desire the best for our lives!

    Hugs,
    Traci

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  19. That was an amazing post!! I wish i could write like that!!
    BTW, would you like to enter my photography competition? This is the link if you do: http://littleshire.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/photography-competition/

    Brittany

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  20. inspiring... that really got me thinking!
    Lovely post =)

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  21. Hannah,

    This has blessed me today. We face fearful situation all throughout our lives. The uncertainty of the future never leaves us, nor does God. Thanks for this reminder. God has indeed given you a great ability write and he has given you unusual insight into his Word.

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  22. !!!!!!!!!!!! I love your new makeover!!!!!!! Ok, so you used Angelic War and....Organic Elements? I LOVE how you only do the 'a's and 'e's in Angelic War! It's like on the movie Igor...in the opening credits, they only do the 'i's 'g's 'o's and 'r's in the font of the title of the movie. lol. Random and probably tmi...but whatever. ;)

    Anyways...I love it! It's definitely you. :) You're so talented.

    <3,
    --Ab

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  23. Hey! Amazing post- I love it. I also love your new look! VERY cute. :)

    Jordyn

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  24. Hey Haaaannaaaaaah....
    Go look at my blog. :)

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  25. LOVE the new makeover, Hannah!

    Peace forever,
    [Laurea]

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  26. Hi Hannah,
    I'm visiting from Lynnette's blog. It's nice to meet you. I love this post. Jeremiah 29:11-13 are my favorite verses! I wish I had known them when I was your age. You are blessed to have hidden God's word in your heart at such a young age! Keep Him and His Word in your sight and you will go far!
    Blessings to you!
    Lyn @ Southern Homeschool Journey
    http://southernhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/03/household-notebook.html

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  27. Hi Hannah,

    I'm just visiting from Lynette Kraft's Getting to Know You, and WOW! You are like way wise beyond your years. By the way, I'm not sure if you ever stop asking yourself, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" There's always the next step, the next thing to do, the next think to achieve. I guess that's the way my life has been at least.

    Kat

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  28. Hi again Hannah!
    I just visited you last week from the blog parade, and now I'm here from Lynnette Kraft's blog! :) I love this post! Are you really 13? Your posts are so meaningful and inspiring! I don't think I could write something like that, and I'm 17!

    Oh, and I absolutely LOVE your new design!! It's beautiful. Your header, your signature... aaahhh, it's all so pretty! You're very talented. I'm trying to learn more about blog design and HTML, but it's slow going at the moment.

    Anyway, just wanted to stop by and say how encouraging your site is! I'll be back... I'm gonna follow you. *wink, wink*

    ~ Love and Hugs,
    Lindsay

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  29. just hopped over from Lynnette's blog, what a powerful message! God is going to use you for many great and wonderful things!

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  30. Surprise! Okay, I actually asked you first, but Oh well. I'm glad you were surprised when I asked. :)

    Have fun meeting new chums. I know they'll adore you.

    Love,
    Lynnette

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  31. I'm hopping over to visit you from Lynnette's "Getting to Know You"... soooooo great to meet you! I've enjoyed reading some of your past posts now and then {yes, I've visited before, just hadn't commented yet}... what a lovely and smart young Christian woman you are! Even at 13 you are wise beyond your years... and such a wisdom that can only come from the Lord! I believe God has already been using you for good works through your blog!

    Congratulations on being this week's featured blog!

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  32. Awesome post! I'm so glad that Lynette is featuring your blog this week. I've followed you for a little while now and really enjoy my visits. You are a very talented and smart young lady, who always seems to write beautiful and inspiring posts.

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  33. Wow, Hannah. Great post. I am visiting from Lynette's blog and have been blessed. Keep it up. Blessings!

    Oh, and some days I still don't know what I will be when I "grow up" and I am 31! (*wink*)

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  34. Thank you for this. I needed to hear it. I'm already "grown up" but I still have no idea what I'm supposed to be or do. :)

    blessings!

    ps. I found you via Getting to Know You by Lynnette!

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  35. Hannah - you did an amazing job with your makeover. I love your post and comment to Sal. You are very wise already and your faith is beautiful! Cling to Him and keep running right to Him He will never guide you wrong!

    I love that Lynnette introduced you!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  36. What wonderful words of wisdom from a young woman. God is using you already. We don't need to struggle with 'what do we want to be when we grow up'. We need to only be who God wants us to be today.

    I'm so glad Lynnette chose you for this weeks "Getting to know you".

    Many blessings,
    Allison

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  37. I am stopping by from Lynnette's "Getting To Know You" to say Hi!

    You have a beautiful blog and you are an amazing young woman! By the way, I am 45 and sometimes I think about what I want to be when I grow up!

    Blessings to you,
    Karen

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  38. Beautifully written and SO true! Keep on trusting and following Him, because it is SO worth it to follow His plans. It's so exciting to see a young woman already serving Him - I'm 26 and still learning to trust in Him. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  39. I am one of the few people I know who knew what they wanted to be early on in life and am doing it. But God has also added some other desires to my heart that compliment my main career, so it's awesome to see where He's taking it.

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  40. Great blog Hannah. I happened upon you from Lynette's blog. You have such maturity and grace for your age!
    Cindy

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  41. Excellent post!!

    http://balapertotarreu.blogspot.com

    Frank

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  42. Visiting from Lynnette's blog. Your blog is so pretty. You are a very gifted and talented writer. Your post is great!

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  43. Visiting from Lynnette's getting to know you!
    Wow, you are amazingly talented!

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  44. beautiful blog Hannah, glad I was introduced to you by Lynnette, and her beautiful blog...God bless your day. cheers, kare

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  45. Hannah I am Lynnette's mom and I was so blessed by your post today. You are a lovely young woman! You can't go wrong by clinging to Him and trusting Him with your life. I am so impressed that you know that at your young age.

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  46. Hello Hannah,

    My name is Kylee and I am stopping by from Lynnettes blog. :) Your blog caught my eye for a few reasons, one being that you are also a teen blogger like me, and two that you are proclaiming you love for God. Amen sister! I shall start to follow you blog if you don't mind, and add your button to mine as well. :) If you ever want to take a peek at my blog just pop on over. Blessing my dear!

    The Life of a Proud Young Mommy - http://lifeofaproudyoungmommy.blogspot.com/

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  47. Hi Hannah,
    Just found your blog by way of Lynette's. Wow! Great blog!! Thanks for sharing.
    Pam

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  48. Here from Lynnette's! What a great post! No matter what we do, as long as we do it for God I think that pleases Him. God knows the plans for our lives. We may stray off the path He has planned for us but we are always in His sight.

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  49. Hi Hannah! I just stopped over from Lynette's blog. Your post here is amazing. The wisdom that pours forth from you here just blows my mind. What an exciting journey that the Lord has in store for you!!

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  50. Hello Hannah, my dear dancing buddy! I'm stopping by from Lynnette's (even though I was stopping by anyway :D). First of all, LOVE the new look! Looks amazing!!
    Secondly -- amazing post!! You are such a brilliant writer! ♥ Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses.

    Love,
    Morgan

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  51. great post Hannah! this post really speaks alot to me. I've been going through college stuff-trying to figure out where to go and what I want to do. I've been feeling alot of pressure and this post is really comforting.
    thanks,
    Sara Maria

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  52. Lynnette was right!! You are a joy to read! I am glad I was able to stop by. Happy Wednesday!

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  53. Hi Hannah! I am visiting from Lynnette's blog today and just wanted to say that I so enjoy reading your blog (and looking at it!) :D
    Have a great day!
    Blessings in Christ alone,
    Rachel M.

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  54. Hello Hannah! I am visting from Lynnette's blog. I am so glad I found you. Your blog is beautiful and encouraging. Us "older" folk have much to learn from are young ones. I will definately be back!

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  55. what an awesome entry. You have an amazing blog. Yes I am here visiting from Lynnette Krafts blog..

    blessings
    Erika
    Princess_erika_am_I(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  56. claudine@orphanscry.comMarch 11, 2010 at 6:47 AM

    Hannah,

    I'm visiting from Lynnette's blog, and so grateful I took the time to come.

    The posts I've read just now have been beautiful, painful, profound -- esp "Tying His Shoes" and "We Can Live."

    Thank you for showing me there are young women with tender, passionate hearts who love the Lord and walk by His Spirit. I have 3 sons and 1 daughter. If marriage is in their future, I so want them to find someone with such a heart of faith, hope, and love.

    Be steadfast. "Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith...consider Him that you might not grow weary and lose heart...for He who promised is faithful...Behold He is coming quickly, and His reward is with Him."

    Have a wonderful day, abiding in Him.

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  57. I posted a little something about you! :D Come and see!

    Love & Hugs, Melian

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  58. Hi, Hannah! I'm visiting from
    lynnette's GTKY. You are a good writer. :-)

    Blessings,
    Angela

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  59. Hi Hannah,
    Love your blog...glad Lynnette introduced you to us.

    I will definately be reading more of your blogs.

    I don't remember ever asking or answering what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I am asking myself what direction God wants me to take as I think of retirement.
    Still seeking God's direction on that matter.

    Blessings,
    Verna

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  60. Very true! I love your blog. :) Also, I just wanted to let you know that you received a Beautiful Blogger Award on my blog.

    God bless!

    Tessa

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  61. Hannah, I'm just stopping by from Lynnette's blog. It's so great to meet you! God has got some wonderful plans for you. I enjoyed reading your post@

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  62. i am still growing Hannah, and i pray the Lord lets me linger for many years yet as i have lots of plans!

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  63. Hi Hannah,
    This was really well written. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
    I found your blog through Getting to Know You.
    Nice to meet ya!

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  64. Awesome Hannah!
    I love your new look... it's awesome! I am definitely putting the button up... you are one of my top #10 blogs!! :)
    <3 you!
    Chare

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  65. P.S. - congrats on being featured at Lynnette's!! I love it! :)
    Hugs,
    C

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  66. Hannah--
    Stopping by from Lynette's blog.

    What great insights you have for such a young woman. The Lord has given you wisdom beyond your years.

    Keep following the King,
    Liz in CA

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  67. Hey!
    I LOVED this post! You are an amazing writer! That verse in Jeremiah is one of my favorites. It really speaks to me in that sometimes we only see the little picture of our lives, we only see what we are going through or doing now but GOD sees the bigger picture he knows the out come and he has plans for us. We weren't put here on earth for know reason. It really breaks my heart when people say "I don't have a purpose." Its SO sad to hear!

    sorry kind started rambling there....

    Again GREAT post ;)

    Love ya!
    --Marissa

    PS I still can't get over your new blog look! Its SO awesome! I LOVE it!

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