It’s been almost 7 years since I’ve walked the grounds at my beloved Alma Mater. This week I had a work trip that allowed me the opportunity to return and visit the university that deeply impacted the course of my life. As soon as I stepped on campus, the smells of fresh SoCal spring greeted me like an old friend. I breathed it in and proceeded my tour.
To be honest, while there were so many amazing takeaways from my college experience, there were also times of confusion, hurt, rejection, and doubt. Coming back brought up the good memories along with the uncomfortable ones. So I decided to sit down at a table in the center of campus and finally face it all.
As I opened myself up, I invited the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my thoughts. My heart began to fill with immeasurable peace; a welcome change from the unnerving questions that had gone answered and the jarring of circumstances that were never fully resolved. I wasn’t sure of what emotions I would feel, but I wasn’t expecting such peace. To my surprise, instead of focusing on my college years, God shifted my gaze up and out.
He took me back off campus and into the world I had entered post-grad. He showed me His faithfulness each step along the way. How He was always present. Always leading me. Always wanting what was best for me. I thought college was transformative (and it was), but the bigger picture involved life outside of college, and that’s what He wanted me to see. His lessons of love: unconditional love.
My capacity to love abounded when I accepted His love for me. When I began to trust instead of doubt, when I began to receive instead of perform. When I ministered through my brokenness, putting my weakness on display and boasting in God’s grace and goodness. It became less about me and more about Him.
The Achiever, Wooer, Initiator turned into a Developer, Empathizer, and Learner.
That girl on campus had been living in a bubble, one that exploded into a life richer than she would have ever imagined. Her realm of influence exceeded her dreams. Her relationships with others flourished on the foundation of service and sacrifice.
Her contentment grew not based on circumstances, but on the Lord and His Joy. Which is where it remains now– not wishing for things to be different, but seeing His purposeful plan woven throughout her life’s path.
I am exactly where He wants me to be, and I couldn’t have gotten here any other way.
“Thank you Jesus,” I whispered, “for it all.”
I breathed in the budding flowers again and slowly exhaled. This time, feeling lighter. Knowingly at rest under His wings.