The Army That Was Built For Me
"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and love you no matter what."
As I am sitting here in quarantine remembering all of the moments when I could go see family and friends, it dawned on me that I've been taking the people in my life for granted. I didn't realize what I'd be missing until I was forced to miss it. I have had time to reflect on my life and the people that God chose to be in it. He built me an army of people who have walked with me through the good and the bad, the people who have taught me, coached me, laughed with me, hurt with me, and prayed with me.
When I take a moment to really think about the people who have touched my life, I know it is a number I will never truly know. People come and go in our lives, leaving memories and experiences that either help or harm us. Even if they aren't currently present in your daily life, if they impacted you in any way, their memory remains with you. Little did I know, the army that the Lord built for me has been my foundation to stand on. Not only is my foundation built off of my family, but also the many military families that helped my mom raise twin babies while our dad was at sea. Moving off base and into regular civilian life, my army grew as I attended school, made new friends, and learned from new teachers. I grew up always connecting well with others and striving to make them proud. Soon after teachers came coaches followed by inspiring faith role models, and of course my dear friends I have today. Just when I get comfortable with the support group I have behind me, the Lord always challenges me to continue to build the army he has started for me.
Starting with my hometown friends, who know me better than I know myself, and who support me in each new step I take in life. After graduation, I took a leap to become a camp counselor and met a TON of amazing and faithful friends who I was able to build deeper relationships with because we all had the same thing in common: our love for God. Once my life-changing summer ended at camp, I was blessed to spend my freshman year on the Catholic women's floor, where I met so many authentic and joyful women who loved God as much as I did. Even through my major, I am able to study my faith with some of the holiest people I know. Most of those people being the seminarians, who fill my days with pure joy. It is a great blessing to be able to watch their journey of discerning the priesthood while developing friendships that challenge me to be the best version of myself. Next, going on a wind ensemble tour abroad brought me some of the best friendships I've ever had just because I trusted in the Lord and went on the trip without letting the fear of having "no friends in band" hold me back. Soon after I went abroad, I decided to join the Army. A choice I will never regret. This choice I made has given me a second family in the battle buddies who were by my side through it all. Even in my unit back home, I can say that each person is important to me and I feel comfortable going to them if I ever needed anything.
I have learned that with each decision you are faced with in life, the more you take on the chances given to you and experience new things, the stronger your army grows. The Lord has a plan for each person in your life, and each chance you take allows you to meet new people and try new things. Relationships that you build allow you to grow into the person that God made you to be. It is through others that the Lord speaks, and he is using you to speak to others too. It is a cool thing to think about when you take a step back and reflect on those who have touched your life, and the lives you have touched as well.
The Lord continues to build me an army of loving family members, faithful friends, one-of-a-kind teachers, coaches, and mentors. The list of people who have touched my life is a greater number that I will never know, however, I’d like to take some time to acknowledge those who have shaped me to become the person I am today.
An idea came to mind to do a “series” based on the people in my life who have made an impact on me, and I’d like to feature some of these people in their own posts someday.
Follow along to meet those who have touched my life in various ways! You might be one of them! ;)
