lifewithomg

I have been dreading the thought of 2018 approaching for two years now. I knew that as soon as the ball dropped and we rang in the new year, I would be emotional from January-June. A year that once meant so much to me was now something that I didn’t even like to think about. My new year’s resolution? That I would survive. I know, I know. A little dramatic, even for me. I just couldn’t bare the thought that if I would’ve stayed at the first university I went to, I would be graduating with the rest of my friends in less than five days.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “You are not them! God has a different plan for you!” Trust me, I’ve been trying to tell myself the same thing for the last four months. I know I’m different. I acknowledge the fact that I needed to leave that school if I was ever going to spread my wings and discover who I was. So why is it that I would get emotional just thinking about the memories and other opportunities that I had missed? It wasn’t until very recently that I realized if I had stayed at the university, I would’ve spun out of control. I was already at a max capacity stress level with my jobs and my homework. I forgot that I didn’t leave because I was lazy, but because it was the best thing for myself. When I confronted God about taking a semester off I felt nothing but peace, something that was unfamiliar at the time. Isn’t it funny how God can deliver you out of a dark season in your life, but you can easily forget just how good He was a year later? If we’re not careful, we can easily fall back into that state of emotional, mental stress and desperation.

Me staying at that university was MY ingenious plan. Pushing through the struggles and burning myself out? Brilliant idea.

Taking a semester off, focusing on myself, and graduating at a junior college for a fourth of the price that I was previously paying? That was God’s plan.

Which one sounds like the wiser choice to you?

When was the last time you actually asked God what he thought about the stressful situations currently happening in your life? Have you ever asked? If I had listened years ago, I would’ve saved a lot of money, tears, and arguments with my parents about what my next step should be (sorry guys). I would constantly remind myself that I would never be able to live out the dreams I once had as an 18 yr old to walk across the graduation stage with my friends in tow. I threw a pity party in my head and forgot to send out invites to Wisdom and Common Sense again. Oops. I worked HARD to walk across that stage last year and shouted praises on the rooftops about the favor that God showed me with my time, finances, and grades. Then, I forgot. I felt so ashamed. I don’t ever want to be the type of person that receives a blessing and doesn’t say thank you, and I certainly don’t want to forget about everything that God has done for me and through me.

God’s plan. It will always be bigger and better than you could ever think or imagine. His was certainly better than mine was! Because I finally stepped on the right path, I was directed back on track to the plan that was placed on my life long ago. That’s one of the many great things about God. He still continues to bless us, even when we don’t deserve it. He shows grace on your biology grade, even when you should’ve failed. He loves us immensely, even after man murdered His only son.

I encourage you to trust God. Let go of your pride, let it fly off in the wind like a helium-filled balloon on a cloudy day. Don’t let your thoughts dictate your future. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” He knows what he’s doing! His ways and thoughts will always be higher than ours. I promise, you won’t regret it.

Class of 2017 Graduate,

OMG