The College Comeback

Ohh the sweet college comeback. I cannot begin to put it into words how interesting this transition is! After not being in school for about 3 years now, getting back into the grind isn't what I expected.  I obviously knew and acknowledged that it would be difficult; however, I think I was a bit too confident thinking I knew what I was signing up for.

So here's a bit of backstory... I graduated high school in 2014 and that fall semester I decided to go to bible college and study abroad in Spain. BEST EXPERIENCE EVER.  Definitely was blessed to have an opportunity like that.  After returning to California, I had this strange discontentment because I felt like I wasn't working towards anything long term.  So I began to pursue nursing and was studying at Palomar College. I was a student for about a year until I came to a halt and realized nursing was not what I wanted.  It was a scary place to be in because I am a person who likes to typically have a rough outline planning out my life, and not only was I going off course but I also didn't have a Plan B.  All I knew was that I didn't want to do nursing.  

At this time in my life, there was only one thing that I was sure about and that was ministry.  I loved worship, I love people, and I loved my community. So when people ask me what I've been doing the past 3 years, that's exactly what I've been up to.  Leading worship, serving people, and discovering who God created me to be.  And let me say, I wouldn't have rather spent the last couple years doing anything else. 

So long story short, returning to school now, there can be a lot of emotions apart of the experience.  It's a transition that includes many different phases! Haha! Phase 1 consisted of excitement and looking forward to being a student again.  Phase 2 happened more around when I saw majority of my friends graduating from college... so naturally, I was frustrated that I hadn't stayed in school, discouraged that I'm barely getting back in the grind while everyone else is done, and all the other feelings that come with comparison.  And finally phase 3, grateful for my own unique path that I pursued.  Trusting and knowing that God had a specific investment in me through the past three years.  I know that the experiences I've had is what has shaped me to be the woman I am today.  

Now that the school flow has officially become a norm again, I can say this.  It's taken discipline, focus, and commitment to be able to academically succeed but also enjoy the exciting moments life brings you.  The amount of times I needed to self check and take a second to breathe and ask God to remind me of the more important things in life is beyond my ability to keep to track lol.  But I can say, thank God for faithfully meeting me in my anxious moments.

So with all of that,  I want to encourage those of you who may be transitioning into a new season of life and to those who are stuck in the mind game of comparison.  To the ones that constantly find themselves gazing at other people's lives and becoming frustrated with your own, remember that you have your own unique journey.  There are specific reasons you are where you are.  Even if the pieces aren't quite fitting together yet, trust Him and keep pursing Him, and I promise that in time (in His time) it will all make sense, and eventually you'll be able to see His hand behind it all.  And to the ones who are in transition, buckle up.  Hold tight and stay close to Him. New seasons come with new rhythms and emotions and it can be easy to get carried away in the current.  But continue to seek Him first and He will be the source of your joy, your strength, your patience, your understanding, your perseverance, and your grace (not just for others, but for yourself as well).  And the beautiful thing is, He will renew you each morning.  Abide in Him, and you won't run dry.  

Of course all this is probably easier said than done, but that's okay, because the main point of this blog is to say, "Hey, I understand. I see you and I've been through it."  So here's my two cents for today.  Whether you feel the warmth of the sun or not, it's always present throughout the day, it's probably just momentarily blocked by a cloud because that's just how life works. But one thing's for sure, we know that the warm, sunny days are still to come.    :)