Have you ever reflected on where life has taken you? I do and I'm constantly reminded of where I come from too... to share just a little about me, I'm surrounded by young people almost daily. What I can appreciate, aside from some of their questionable behavior is their "honesty". We've all heard it said "kids don't lie" and "from the mouths of babes" - trust me, truer words were never spoken. Kids, once they trust you or feel comfortable enough around you ... will tell or ask you almost anything, with no problem doing so. I'm telling you this because, you need to prepare yourself, ... you "will" be expected to offer advice (even when not asked) and that is when you must draw from personal experience and "pray" you're "wisened" and "Seasoned" enough to give a worthwhile answer.

I, like many I'm sure, used to question my purpose in life. There were so many directions I wanted to go in, but as I get older, I'm starting to see with clarity what that is. I used to question why "I" had to "go through so much" (as if I were the only thing in the universe that mattered), now I know that God hadn't put any more on me than I could bear - even though I'd already been told that so often over the years ... I've seen people come and go in my life, many of whom it seemed I couldn't live without and who would always be there for me ... today, I can't tell you where many of them are. But they were there for me, and gave of themselves unconditionally, each adding something of their character to mine. So I continue to carry what I learned from them with me, daily. And almost daily, I pass some of that knowledge on to someone who represents what I once was.

Gradually as I've been molded, loved, prayed for, listened to and disciplined, I've evolved into a complete well-rounded, enthusiastic, positive, motivated, wisened, patient, peace-loving, being. All my struggles and doubts, "seasoned" my character, I didn't understand it then, but by trying to do things differently, I would have ruined God's recipe for ... "me". And guess what ... seems I'm not done yet either, ... add a little more seasoning, Lord, ... please?