Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places

Have you ever wondered why you’re where you are right now? It’s a question I’ve asked myself countless times, especially since returning to Michigan. If you’re reflecting on your own journey, I’d like to invite you to walk with me for a moment.

Since coming back to Michigan, my time living in Tennessee has lingered on my heart. It’s hard to put into words what I experienced during that chapter of my life. It was a season of growth, challenges, and moments that shaped me in unexpected ways. If I were to sum it up, I’d say it was a time of discovery—of learning what I thought I wanted, only to realize it wasn’t the full picture.

For years, all I wanted was to leave Michigan. I didn’t feel rooted here. With no close family or friends to anchor me, I dreamed of starting fresh somewhere else. When the opportunity finally came, I jumped at it. Tennessee offered me a new beginning, and I was ready to embrace it.

But here’s the irony: as soon as I left, the connections I longed for seemed to suddenly appear—600 miles away. Family and friends I had wished were closer started reaching out, and I found myself torn between the life I was building in Tennessee and the one I had thought I left behind in Michigan. Isn’t life funny like that? Sometimes, what we think we’ve moved on from comes knocking when we least expect it.

Torn Between Two Homes

Tennessee became a place where I grew in ways I didn’t anticipate. It was beautiful, both in its landscapes and the opportunities it offered. Yet, the pull of Michigan never completely faded. After a time, I gave in to the longing to return. On the surface, it felt like the right decision. But deep down, I knew something wasn’t quite right.

The day I signed the paperwork for our current home, I had a pit in my stomach—a sense that this wasn’t the move I was meant to make. Yet, I went through with it, influenced by voices I thought had my best interests at heart. People I trusted guided me toward a choice they believed was right, but it wasn’t right for me. That decision, made under the weight of others’ expectations, became one I would wrestle with.

And yet, even in regret, there’s been redemption.

Finding the Good Amid Regret

Since returning to Michigan, I’ve seen doors close that I had left open before I left for Tennessee. While some of those endings have brought sadness, they also brought clarity. And there have been undeniable blessings in this season. My daughter, Jozlyn, has found her place here. Her school has opened doors for her that no other place could, nurturing her academic and artistic talents. Watching her thrive has been a gift I wouldn’t trade for anything.

These moments remind me that even when we take a path we later question, good can emerge. That’s the beauty of life—and the grace of God. He has a way of weaving redemption into our choices, even the ones we wish we could undo.

The God Factor

Here’s what I’ve come to realize: no decision we make is beyond God’s ability to redeem. He isn’t a distant dictator, waiting to punish us for our missteps. He’s Love. He meets us in the middle of our decisions, offering grace and guiding us toward purpose.

In my case, returning to Michigan hasn’t been without challenges or regrets. But it’s also been a time of healing, growth, and new opportunities. I’ve learned to see the beauty in the journey, even when it feels uncertain. And I’ve come to understand that the “God Factor” is always at work, shaping our lives in ways we can’t always see.

God doesn’t abandon us when we make choices that lead us to difficult places. Instead, He uses those moments to teach us, to grow us, and to bring good out of what feels broken. He makes a way where there seems to be none—a truth that has brought me comfort time and time again.

Reflecting on Your Journey

If you’re wondering why you are where you are right now, take heart. The very act of reflecting on your path shows a willingness to grow. It’s easy to get caught up in the “what ifs” and “should haves,” but there’s grace in recognizing your journey for what it is: a mix of choices, challenges, and lessons.

Maybe you’ve made decisions you regret. Maybe you feel stuck or unsure of what’s next. Wherever you find yourself, remember this: your story isn’t over. Every chapter, even the messy ones, has a purpose. The key is to trust the process and believe that good can come from it.

Gratitude for the Present

As I continue to navigate my own journey, I’ve found gratitude to be a powerful tool. Instead of focusing on what I wish I had done differently, I’ve learned to be thankful for the blessings in front of me. Watching Jozlyn thrive, seeing the beauty of Michigan’s seasons, and finding clarity in closed doors—all of these are reminders of God’s faithfulness.

Gratitude doesn’t erase regret, but it shifts our perspective. It helps us see the opportunities ahead and opens our hearts to the possibility of redemption. When we approach life with gratitude, we create space for growth, healing, and hope.

Moving Forward

Looking back, my time in Tennessee and my return to Michigan have taught me more than I ever expected. I’ve learned that life isn’t about having all the answers or making perfect decisions. It’s about trusting the journey, leaning into the lessons, and finding purpose in the unexpected.

So, if you’re wondering why you are where you are, take a moment to reflect. Be grateful for the growth that’s happening, even if it’s hard to see right now. Trust that there’s a way forward, even if the path isn’t clear. And remember that God’s grace is bigger than any regret.

You are not beyond redemption. You are not beyond thriving. And you are not alone.