In my last post, I shared reflections drawn from my 2016 journal. This time, I’ve taken a step further back — into 2015. This marks a shift from the topic‑based writings I’ve often shared, because I feel compelled in this season to walk through my journals year by year. These entries are more than memories; they are glimpses of God’s preparation. In 2015, I found myself repeatedly anticipating something great, sensing His plan and purpose even when I could not yet see the details. Looking back now, I recognize how those stirrings were shaping the vision that is coming to life today.
Refined Through Relationships
In 2015, I noticed how the changes in people around me forced me to change as well. When those closest to me shifted — in their priorities, their values, or even their presence — I was compelled to respond. Sometimes that response was painful, sometimes liberating, but always instructive. God often uses relationships as mirrors, showing us where we must grow, adapt, or let go.
At the same time, I realized the importance of assessing not only myself, but the people in my life. Who we walk with matters. Some relationships propel us toward God’s vision, while others hold us back. Stewardship of relationships is part of stewardship of purpose. Those relational shifts were not incidental — they were part of the refining process, shaping me for what was ahead.
Seeking and Finding Meaning
I often wrote about searching for something, only to realize that when I found it, I didn’t recognize it. Purpose can be elusive; we long for clarity, yet when opportunities appear, they may not look like what we expected. At the same time, I acknowledged that the search for real meaning and opportunities never truly ends. Life is not about arriving at a single destination, but about walking a path where each step reveals more of God’s design.
What feels ordinary in one season may later be revealed as extraordinary. God’s quiet signatures are often hidden until hindsight brings them into focus. The search itself was part of the preparation, the soil in which vision was planted.
Seeds of Inspiration Through Others
One entry from that year stands out vividly: I wrote about a friend who had just begun her author journey. I prayed that God would bless her steps, never imagining that six years later she would be the one to help me publish my first book. At the time, writing wasn’t even on my mind. Yet God, in His wisdom, was already aligning relationships and opportunities that would open doors in the world of publishing.
This reminds me that preparation is not only about what God is doing within us, but also about the people He places around us. Sometimes their journeys become catalysts for our own. What feels like a passing prayer can become the seed of future collaboration and blessing. Truly, God is amazing in the way He weaves lives together for His purpose.
Clarity and Courage in the Midst of Pressure
Another reflection that stood out from 2015 was the challenge of balancing what God had spoken with the expectations of people. There were many voices suggesting what I “should” be doing, or when I “should” be doing it. Yet in those journal entries, I saw that I was clear about what was not part of God’s plan for that season. Responding without offense was not always easy, but it was necessary. It taught me that obedience sometimes means disappointing people, while remaining anchored in God’s timing.
At the same time, I wrestled with fear and intimidation. There were moments when obstacles felt overwhelming, yet I chose to confront them. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to stand firm despite it. Isaiah 41:10 reminded me then — and reminds me still — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” That clarity and courage together became a vital part of my preparation, shaping how I responded to both external pressure and internal hesitation.
A Covenant of Commitment
Finally, I made a covenant: whatever I must face, I will not do so without Him. That commitment became the thread tying all these reflections together. Preparation is not passive; it is God’s active shaping through relationships, challenges, and inner searching. My role was to remain committed to walk with Him. That covenant posture has carried me through seasons of uncertainty and into seasons of fulfillment.
Closing Reflection
Looking back at 2015, I see a season of anticipation — a time when I sensed God’s plan but could not yet imagine the details. Those journal entries remind me that preparation often feels hidden, yet it is never wasted. What I prayed for, what I wrestled with, and what I committed to then have become part of the foundation I stand on now.
Today, I recognize that the vision which stirred in my heart eleven years ago is unfolding in ways I could not have foreseen. The journey continues, shaped by God’s timing, relationships, and courage to face what once intimidated me. And so I walk forward, grateful for the preparation of the past and expectant for what is yet to come.
Perhaps you too are in a season of anticipation. May you find encouragement in knowing that God is preparing you, even now, for what He has already planned.
This reflection is one step in the journey — I walk back through my journals, uncovering the threads of God’s preparation that continue to shape my life today.
This reflection is part of my author journey at Plunkett Writes. You can also follow along on Instagram @plunkettwrites, where I share my writing journey.