Going to Merced I was reminded of a time back in my senior year of High School. Acceptance letters hadn't came out yet, but I felt the Lord leading me to Merced. And I had my mind set, pretty much ready to go, all I had to do was ask a couple people their opinions and if anyone had a good enough reason for me to go somewhere else then I'd pray about it again.
And then came the big envelopes, UC Merced (ease), UC Riverside (ease), UC Davis (surprised), UC San Diego (REALLY SURPRISED). And then my two small rejection letters from Irvine and LA.
But then even with my acceptance to San Diego I still had my mind set on Merced, and then I talked to my Pastor and he said "you still have a duty to you family, if you go to Merced it'll be too far."
And so I made my decision to go to San Diego.
Now that I look back and I sometimes get to thinking how it would be like if I went to Merced. I wonder how different I would be, what I would be doing, and what kind of problems I would be going through. I know that I God would definitely be showing me different things in probably extremely different ways, and God would be taking me through totally different struggles and trials. And when I think that, I get into this mode of wishing that I went to Merced because then I wouldn't have to be going through the various things that I'm going through now.
But on the drive back to home, I was reminded and encouraged by a sister that "there is a purpose for everything" and that I am where I am for a reason. And God really is teaching me a lot...but it's tough. I recently read a pretty funny quote:
"nobody ever said that life was going to be easy... but nobody ever said it was going to be this hard."
I found that pretty interesting, but you live and you learn right?
This is probably the closest I've ever come to regretting something, but in all reality, things could be worse.
Anyway, Merced was really encouraging. Getting up there was a struggle, I won't go into detail but the devil attacked me in a harsh way and my attitude (half the way up) was definitely not on blessing them. But after a quick stop at Denny's and 5 cups of hot chocolate and some fellowship with the people in my car, the Lord lifted my spirit up again.
While we were there we handed out fliers to people on campus and I realized that Merced people are so chill. They actually take time to stop and see what it's really about, and they rarely blew me off. That made me so comfortable and it got me really going on inviting these Mercedians to the large group.
I feel like every time I go up, the brothers and sisters there are so welcoming and they make me feel so happy and joyful. Goodness, God is doing a great work in Merced and I encourage each of those that read this blog of mine to say a short prayer for the campus and for their InterVarsity group.
And if you are from Merced and are reading this, Keep up the good work! And I'll be back soon!
This feels like a long blog (it took me two times to write it). Sorry that you had to endure through it all.
yep everything happens for a reason. dont dwell on not going too much or that will kill you even more but look to why God has called you to stay and all that He's been doing AND going to do in you as you are here in socal. and in SD.
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