Too Blessed.

I was told today that I was "just a babysitter."

Yes, I realize I am 24 years old. Yes, I realize I graduated from college two years ago. And yes, I realize I get paid to do a 12-year-old's job.

Do people really think this is what I had planned for my life? My last week of college, I pictured myself sitting in an office at a Christian radio station, developing the best contests any radio station has ever implemented.

But then I graduated. Then I came home. Then realized that my dream job had to be put on hold, since NO ONE was hiring. Or they were hiring and were unwilling to hire someone "not within."

Then my brother turned to me, and asked me if I'd be willing to watch his daughter while he and his wife worked.

Fine. It was money. And I needed it big time.

A few months in, when The Babe became "more fun", I started actually teaching her. Shapes, colors, numbers, letters, etc. Then I progressed into more complex things. I helped potty train her, I've weaned her off her pacifier (though in her household, it's called a dooky), and I've helped teach her to swim.

Then her little sister was added to the picture. Currently, she's still in her "trying to figure out the workings of the world" stage, but I still get to have fun with The Babe. Everyday. I love watching her face when she learns something new. And I love it even more when she repeats something I taught her weeks ago. It's like my life completes itself every time that happens.

Now, I realize this isn't going to be my career. At least I hope not. But after being told I was "just a babysitter" for the third time in a week, I felt a little...lower than society. It made me think about why I couldn't find a "real" job. It made me wonder if I was trying as hard as I should be. I mean, surely I should be making more than I am now and trading in my "living room office" for a corner one, my crayons in for a pen, and my three-year-old job subjects to 20-40 years older ones. Right?

I thought about this on my way home tonight. I mean, I think about it a lot, but after hearing that statement again today, I thought about it more tonight.

Then I saw it.

The cliche statement of all time. Posted on one of those cliche church signs.

"We are too blessed to be depressed."

I had to laugh. Out loud. I've heard it a bazillion times.

But this time it was different. It was...true.

I mean, I was driving away from two of my nieces who I get to see daily. And I was driving toward even more family, and two of, seriously, the best dogs that God has ever created.

I really am blessed.

This is what my life is.

It's not what I pictured. At all.

But is life ever really what you pictured for yourself?