Today did not start out as planned. I was very much looking forward to sleeping in because I did not have class, but God had other plans. I am thankful that I was awoken when I was, though I did not see it at the time. I woke up a bit upset and since I decided sleep was probably not going to happen again anytime soon, I got up and took a long shower, thinking and praying (and a little bit of crying because, hey, I'm a girl). I then spoke to some wise and trusted people in my life, i.e- my parents, who prayed for me and gave me some peace of mind. So off I went to get coffee and get to work.
Here's where some of the cool stuff starts.
The guy I parked next to saw my bumper stickers, so walking along the path he was kind of waiting for me (which I at first thought was a little creepy) but then he just said "excuse me, are you pro-life?" and I was a little taken back because strangers don't usually ask that kind of question but I said "yes, I definitely am!" and he simply replied "I think that is so awesome! I am too, I think that babies are a gift from God" which I was very happy to hear and agreed wholeheartedly. We proceeded to talk for about 10 more minutes about pro-life things and how he has been praying for the different colleges in this area, especially those that say that they are christian but certainly do not act like it. It turns out, he does not even go to Lindenwood, he is just taking one class here, he is a student at Missouri Baptist University. By the grace of God, our paths crossed this morning. He said he felt God wanting him to say something to me and I am so thankful that he did! For someone completely separate from my life to tell me that what I am doing matters, that it makes a difference and that I am good for more than just making mistakes and messing everything up was just what I needed.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain." Philippians 2:14-16
Thank you, Ben, you did so much more than you know today.
So after all of that I texted a student who I occasionally help with some organizational things for my job, and I found that she was admitted to the hospital last night; she has had a lot of respiratory issues on top of some other things. So I decided to go visit her.
Aside about her: She and I only became friends this semester but I already feel so close with her. We share many of the same beliefs and she has such a passion for learning, despite the many health road blocs she has to go through. She makes me so proud because even though she has accommodations from the school that push back her due dates, she tries so hard to turn everything in at the same time as everyone. She has so much ambition, regardless of her struggles, because she wants to help people.
The point is that sometimes people have bigger problems than our own, so I encourage you to step back and look at situations from someone else's shoes, and maybe take more appreciation in the things that God has put in your life, whether they be good or bad.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
So I went to visit her and while I was there the hospital priest came in to check on her and e prayed with us. Little did he know that he was praying for my healing as much as he was hers. As we prayed together I started to feel some weight come off of my shoulders. My mind became more and more at peace because this problem that I am having, it is all in God's hands. I am still upset about it, yes, but my faith and my trust in God to heal this wound was strengthened.
I am sure many of you are in stressful times, but I honestly believe that everyone involved takes a step back and looks from the outside and we trust that God will heal this, then He will.
So in a day that I was almost certain I would not find joy, God definitely showed me otherwise. How is there not to be joy when we have a Father who loves us so much that He sent His one and only son to suffer and die so that we would not have to suffer and we could win over death and the devil. Thank God for the little joys He puts in our lives every day.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
