The Changing Seasons

As I sit in my childhood bedroom the night before most kids in my hometown go back to school, I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't miss the freshly packed lunchboxes, cheesy first day of school photos, and waking up at the crack of dawn to get to FFA and cheer practice. Although I still have my fair share of first days of school left while obtaining my bachelor's and master's degree, it's simply not the same. If you're anything like me, just thinking of this reality could bring you to tears.

But, we're not here to cry today. We are here to rejoice. Because if there's one thing the transition to college has taught me, it's that our time here on earth is fleeting, and the quicker we get our minds focused on Christ, the better off we will be.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Life can be really hard sometimes. Anxiety, death, grief, fear, depression, broken relationships, abuse, and so much more are part of many of our stories. God is no stranger to our cries. He hears us and sees us. Not only that, but He has so much compassion for us.

I've spent part of my summer volunteering at a hospital in order to get some experience in the nutrition/dietetics industry. Within this role, I've gotten to visit patients when they are at their worst. Many are ill, malnourished, and confused. As I see these patients, I am reminded of how the Lord sees us. In our own ways, each of us is ill, spiritually malnourished, and confused about the purpose of our lives.

The Lord, in His compassion, provides a solution to every hardship we could ever face. He gives rest to the weary, provides the bread of life for all believers (His word), and give our lives purpose (to go and make disciples).

I'm sure I'm not alone in my marveling at how quickly life can pass us by. In fact, recently, I was scrolling through Instagram when I came upon Bella Robertson's post. You may have heard of the Robertson family from the hit TV show Duck Dynasty. Bella is my age and is already married, famous, considerably rich, and has already built a house of her own. Though it seems she has it all, she, too, struggles with feeling content in her current stage of life.

*******************************************************

I remember sitting across from my sister at lunch during our sophomore year of high school. That year, we were on a mission to win the Texas FFA Senior Quiz contest and were getting ahead on some studying during lunch (crazy, I know). However, we took a break from our studying to dream about where we would be in the next few years. We still weren't sure exactly where we would go to college. I remember looking at the Texas A&M website with Bailee. She looked at me and said "Do I look like an Aggie?" I can just imagine the Lord looking down at us and smiling. While we were unsure and a bit apprehensive of what lie ahead, the Lord already had a story written for us. Luckily, that plan included A&M!

Flash forward about four years, and here I am preparing to go into my sophomore year of college at Texas A&M University on a full-ride scholarship. If I could go back and tell my high school sophomore self what my current season of life consists of, she would be so excited. I have accomplished nearly every goal I set for myself in high school, and I no longer have to go back to the place I longed to get out of. Shouldn't I be filled with joy?

Ideally, yes. However, we live in a broken world where we will never reach perfection. The truth is that nothing in this life can bring us lasting joy and fulfillment besides Jesus Christ. Knowing the truth of who He is and what He did for us will set us free. Sure, we can ride off the high of accomplishments, popularity, outward appearance, etc. for a little while. But sooner rather than later, life will knock us down once again. And when that time comes, we will need something deeper than ourselves to be rooted in. Personal strength, at best, is only human. We need Jesus- desperately. College has taught me that there really is a God-sized whole in each of our hearts.

I shared the following post on Instagram after finding out I was Valedictorian, a goal I had been striving for all of high school.

This post sounds kind of sad, but it's actually the most joyful thing ever! Becoming Valedictoitan was a holy quest for me. I prayed hard, worked hard, and used my speech to honor Him. My point here is not that accomplishments are a negative thing. But they are just that- accomplishments. It's when you invite God into the picture and give Him His due glory that they then become so much sweeter and more purposeful. Accomplishments are good things, but God is in the business of taking good things and making them great.

Still, it's important to remember that God is not just in the big things. He is not just with you on graduation day, the day you get promoted, or the day you get married. Although we don't always realize it, He's just as present when you're anxiously studying for an exam, sitting in the waiting room for a job interview, or dreaming with your friends about who you'll marry someday. If you'll let Him in, you can feel His presence with every step as you embark on your goals in life.

Whether you're a student, a stay-at-home mom, a nurse, or simply trying to figure things out, I hope you know that God is willing to be with you every step of the way, if you'd only invite Him in. <3

Love, Bre