Can't, Never Could

I have been told I can't my entire life.

"You can't make something of yourself out of what you come from."

"You can't know how to have fun if you have your head stuck in a book all the time."

"You can't make it on your own because you don't have any idea about streetsmarts and you've been too sheltered for too long."

"You can't get financial aid that will not only cover your tuition, but also your college and living expenses."

"You can't work and keep your grades up in college, especially as a full-time student."

"You can't be a professional without make-up and the latest clothing style, losing weight, and doing something different with your hair."

"You can't be in graduate school and work full-time..."

"...and you most definitely can't have TWO jobs!"

"You can't get enough clinical hours to graduate unless you start back early and carry through the week of graduation."

There are so many more "cants," but these are the first ones that come to mind. Why do people always want to tell me I can't? I have proved them wrong every single time. I wonder if it is their way of setting the bar high, giving me an expectation to meet and the motivation to make it happen.

I was thinking about this today as I drove home from my clinical practicum site. You know, honestly, they are right. I can't. I never could. But God can and He has always been able. I have never succeeded in proving a "cant" wrong on my own, but only by His grace, mercy, and faithfulness.

I stand here rather excited, to think that God has used all these cants-turned-coulds in my life to show His might and power and love in such a real way.

I can when I'm on His side. He strengthens His own!