Leave Room
In the last class of my Social Work class my professor took time and forced us all to relax, reflect, and savor all that we have learned and done over the course of the semester. He talked a bit about how our fast paced lives don't allow us to really have a proper ending in many of the things we do and we move on to the next thing without really ever having closure. This post is a kind of closure for me.
Finishing this semester was no easy task. However now that it is over, I know that a lot of things are going to change. Although I do have to take a few classes next semester, I am going to be a part time student, working in the dining hall, and, as usual, spending a lot of time at New Life. I know that this summer, being abroad and traveling and doing things on my own, is going to change me in some ways, and I already feel myself shifting into a new role and feeling as though a chapter of my life is closing and I am eager to see what will be written in the next. Frankly there are a lot of unknowns looking ahead, but for now I want to savor the present. I have so much gratitude to extend and I would love to share some of God's life transforming power I have had the privilege to witness this year.
First as you may or may not know last year was not an ideal living situation. I didn't get along really well with my roommates and as a result became somewhat of a hermit. Moving into the house I currently live in was one of the biggest blessings God gave me this past year. I was constantly reminded of God's love and comfort through the lovely women I roomed with. I was a bit nervous sharing a room again, and now I can't see it any other way. I had a safe place to call home and someone that understood me that I could talk to about anything. I will cherish our nightly pillow chats and late night laughs :) There have been a million memories made in that house, and I can't wait for the next million.
Secondly I was given the opportunity to continue leading a small group this past year. I remember last year leading the group and feeling like I had to do everything all the time and feeling like I was constantly failing. This year I can honestly say that I didn't do hardly anything, and God showed up huge. I really learned what it means to leave room for God to do His work. Honestly small group became such a safe haven and such a beautiful place of growth and just raw honesty. I looked forward to planning and praying through the group each week and saw amazing things. I saw each woman in the group grow and change in such unique ways that there is no way I could even begin to think I could take credit for it. I have seen one women begin to feel freedom from a sin that has enslaved her for so long, I saw women come to our group and experience a glimpse of Christ's love for the first time, and I saw women disciple each other with such love and genuine care that my heart almost exploded.
Thirdly, although this year was a bit rough with family trials, decisions, and just day to day stuff, I felt God pulling me closer and closer to Him with each event. In the fall our family lost a beautiful member to cancer. My aunt was full of life and I have so many fond memories of her teaching me to cook and so many fun little life tricks, and she is missed each and every day. Through this and some other rough things I felt God pulling me in and being my rock when the earth felt like slipping sand beneath my feet. One huge way he did this was by providing me with people who love and care for me, especially when I have felt too weak to fight the battle, or when I feel like coasting instead of growing in my walk with the Lord. I have developed relationships this year that have been a great surprise. One particular friend has really pushed me and taught me a lot about myself even when I didn't want to hear what they had to say, I know that it was out of love, and I so look forward to what God has in store for us!
Finally, although I could go on even longer than I already have, I have seen God work in so many ways this year and I really can't even begin to express how amazed I am. I have seen life transformation right before my eyes and feel so privileged to even be a witness to God's work. So here's to one chapter of beauty and growth closing, and to another one of hope and promise opening; Lets all pray that God continues to move, and if it is His will that we might have some small part in it.
Standing in awe of His redemptive power,
Sigourney
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