Embrace your almost
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. – Jeremiah 29:11
The saying, “What is meant for you will never pass you by,” used to irk me wildly. This saying stabbed me with wild disappointment to its core. With a 12-year dream set in my heart, when falling short of this dream year after year, discouragement encapsulated my heart. I felt let down, disappointed, and frankly angry. When you work so hard for something so long, you begin to lose sight of why you do it in the first place.
When my mom put me in pageantry at seven, it lit a fire inside me. Little did my sweet mom know, she’d be helping me chase after a now decade-old dream. I long for more than just a sparkly crown and banner on a National level. More so, I long for my tenacity to be seen. For my dedication to a system to be valued. And more so than ever, I long for God’s fruitful plan to come to fruition.
So, each year, I pour my heart and soul into all things pageantry. I vividly pour my hard work, effort, and heart into the journey each and every year. More importantly, I pray each year, this would be my year to glorify Him with this coveted title. This is my year to share my testimony. This is my time to represent the system that so effortlessly changed my life at the age of seven. The system that shaped me in every aspect.
Baby Sam at her first NAM pageant at age seven-years-old
But, after many runner up’s, semi-finalist placements and tears later, I have realized that there has always been a bigger plan. – My dream is still waiting to be reality. And that’s okay. I often remind myself that if God showed me how long it would take to win this title, I would have quit ages ago. There’s a wildly perfect reason that God hasn’t given me this opportunity. And while I wait, I sit in the joy that there is purpose in the waiting. Because this journey wasn’t mine to begin with. So, while I wait, I thank God for preparing me to endure what He has for me later.
So, with this long-winded story of myself waiting for a yes, I am sure you have been in seasons where all you have heard is no. Your gut reaction is to think, “This is a problem, and I shouldn’t be here.”. When people tell you, “What is meant for you won’t pass you by,” you begin to scoff. We live in a society where immediate success is chased after. We discredit ourselves when we don’t get the job, the promotion, the A+, or the validation.
But what if I told you that God’s plan was never to discredit you? What if I told you that God has intentionally positioned you to endure what He has for you later? His handiwork is intricate. The strength you have now, from all the “maybe’s” and “almost’s,” will serve you, friend. So, when you hear a “No” from the world, recognize that God knows you’re worth so much more. God has handcrafted your journey to success.
God has plans we cannot comprehend. His plans sometimes require us to know His character before we know the promise. Let us embrace God’s best rather than settling for an immediate yes. Your hard work is seen, and your tenacity is valued. Hold on tight, for God has incredible plans for you.
Here’s a look at my time at NAM Nationals 2023, where I placed top 12 in the nation, and experienced so much joy.
