The past 2.5 months have been a whirlwind. I look back on it in disbelief that it even happened. Since my last post, I:
- Got an internship with Samaritan's Purse on the promotions team for Operation Christmas Child
- Graduated from college (psych. I walked across the stage...but I will officially be a college grad in t-12 days)
- Celebrated summer at my favorite beach in all the land
- Started my internship
- Traveled to Michigan and Mississippi for work (big girl status)
- GOT A JOB?!!? (question marks because I still don't believe it)
- Made many new friends
- Epically celebrated the best day of the year (ahem...4th of July)
So yes, this summer has been unlike any other. I expected that, but I all I expected was to be a "grown up", brush my hair and wear make-up...blah blah blah. But what I wasn't expecting, was to learn and grow as much as I have.
This summer I have had the privilege of working with an incredible organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to people all over the world. My role may be small in the grand scheme of it all, but in that small way I am contributing to the big work being done. I have learned infinitely more than I thought I would, met people more passionate for the Lord than I have seen, and heard incredible stories that I would not believe if the person telling me did not experience it first hand. As much as I could go on and on about my experiences, there is one thing I want to share now:
Okay, this is a message to all of those graduating college, no matter when that is, here is my one piece of advice (not that I'm an expert, but someone told me this and now I wish I listened).
Do not make plans.
Okay, before you panic, hear me out. This year the Lord made it clear to me I would be using my major (public relations, non-profit). I also knew I would not be raising support, and I wanted to work for something I cared about/was passionate about. So I thought: Okay Lord, there's no way I will be able to find a job with all three of those credentials. So naturally, I began making plans of my own that did not include those things. And they all fell through, shocker. I applied to Samaritan's Purse because my mom made me, I thought there was no way I'd get it. I did. Not only that, but two weeks into the internship I was offered a seasonal position that involves my major, cue the look of shock.
I suddenly realized that God provided a PR job at an organization that I support whole-heartedly and absolutely love and I get paid. However, despite the Lord's provision, this was not what I wanted. But, God has made it absolutely clear in multiple ways that this is where I am supposed to be. For the past few weeks, he has been changing my heart to be like his. And now, rather than being in denial that I am staying in Boone with a grown-up job, I am actually really excited.
So when I say don't make plans, I don't mean be apathetic. But listen to what God wants for you, and make steps toward that. All I knew were those three things, that's it. I never imagined this is what the Lord had in store for me, I underestimated him (and myself). I didn't let myself really believe that all things are possible with my Savior. If I truly believed that God would provide the perfect plan from my obedience, I would not have spent so much time making "back up" plans. "Back up" plans: making plans because you don't think God will actually provide his plan for you in time. Aka: "back up" plans show a lack of faith in the all powerful God, creator of all things, including the plans for your life.
With all of that said. God is rocking my world right now. I refused to think of staying in Boone because that was "comfortable"and "safe". Well, I was wrong because here I am, staying, and it's actually terrifying. But it is exactly where the Lord wants me. God and his plans never cease to amaze me.
"Look at the nations and watch, and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
-Habakkuk 1:5
