Little Did I Know

                     This past Wednesday, July 31st, marks my 10 year anniversary of getting my cosmetology license!  I can't believe it's already been 10 years, but at the same time so many momentous things have happened since that hot summer day in Sacramento when I finally became a "professional".  It's funny because I wasn't one of those little girls who always dreamed of one day being a hairstylist or a makeup artist.  I was actually more of a tomboy who loved to play soccer and wear skater shoes.  Even through high school I loved playing sports over doing my hair and makeup.  After graduating high school, I had planned to just go to the community college, take some classes and try out for the volleyball team.  Then God used a woman in our church to mention the idea of going to beauty school.  I remember mentioning it to my parents and my dad was all for the plan.  He said in all of his intensity, "Lindsey, that would be great!  One day if you ever have a family you can work from home!" Now, he's telling this to an unsaved 18 year old straight out of high school.  The last thing I was thinking about was being able to work from home while taking care of a family!  All I saw was cute hair and dollar signs. 
                  Little did I know that God had a way better reason for me going to beauty school than just stylish hair and making money.  I'm so thankful for the way the Lord works things out and the people He uses in our lives to direct us in the way He wants us to go.  It's not only a blessing to be able to help out my family financially, although with two crazy boys I'm not working as much these days, but there are other blessings with it.  For one, I have the opportunity to meet women who I would never have met otherwise.  Not only ladies in our church, but women outside of the church.  God has graciously given me many opportunities to share the gospel with a few of my clients, many of which I passed up or should have been more bold, but I know He can even use the few words I did say to them.  So what I first thought to be  just an adventure through beauty school and gaining experience in different salons, turned out to be so much more. 
                  My dad definitely knew what he was talking about.  Little did I know he would be right!  Little did I know instead of being at all the latest hair shows ,I would be at home running after two rambunctious boys while my client's color is processing.  Little did I know God's plan for me was way better than my selfish sin driven one that I thought I had all mapped out.  So thankful that God directs our steps and that He is ultimately in control!   
             Proverbs 16:9- "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."