Senior Year | Reflection and Anticipation

I have officially begun my senior year of college. I started a little late, because I knew I would be in Thailand during a pretty heavy load of school work if I started during the first term. Since I’m online, I was able to just pick up in the second term and get to work on everything once I returned from my trip overseas.

Coming to terms with the fact that my time in undergrad is almost over is a strange feeling. Not bad – just strange. It doesn’t feel like that long ago that I was just starting my freshman year, anxious about all the new things but excited about them, too.

Now, a lot has changed. I stuck to the same major, but I switched online. I‘m with the same boy, but we’re married now. My two older siblings are married, too. I’ve published another book, and I’m working on the next. Although my life is stuffed full of wonderful things, it would be silly not to acknowledge that they’re wonderful things that are entirely different from what freshman year me thought they would be.

When I was a freshman, I thought I’d wait until I graduated to get married. God had different plans, and led me down the perfect path, revealing to me that marriage sooner rather than later was just fine – even if it is taboo among certain circles.

When I was a freshman, I thought I’d wait until I graduated to publish another book. I didn’t think I’d have the bandwidth to write another story while I was in school, let alone publish it. But here we are. Things are on a roll to continue the series, and I’m really enjoying being able to write alongside Christ as He guides me to write imperfect but incredibly fun stories.

When I was a freshman, I thought I might end up switching my major a couple times. At least, I thought I would once I realized that everyone else I knew at school switched their major at least once the first semester alone. But God had been clear to me. I knew what I was supposed to do, and I stuck to it.

When I was a freshman, I thought a lot of things. And most of them were wrong.

It’s crazy to look back and see all the things that can, do, and should change. I didn’t have the whole picture yet. I couldn’t have known what the right thing was. But God knew. And he directed each step I took.

Knowing that, it takes a big weight off my shoulders as I look to the future. I might be stepping into my final year of school, but it’s just the beginning of the rest of my life. Despite that, I don’t need to worry. God’s provided every step of the way so far, and He isn’t going to stop now.

I just want to encourage you in the same thing. I know that life can be terrifying. I know that new things can be intimidating, even when they’re exciting. But I also know that God is a Provider. I know that He cares for you and loves you dearly, and would never abandon you – even when you have to walk down really scary paths.

As you continue walking down the road He’s put you on now, take heart.

He’s in control, and He knows what’s best.

What are some ways God has shown you that He is a provider? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!