It's Over?

Wow. 2020 has been quite the year. When The Lord put the word 'trust' on my heart in early December, 2019, I had no idea He was asking me to trust Him about more than just my own selfish plans.

Last Friday, I was at the office when I received an email that said the Chicago Semester was over and I had 5 days to move out of my apartment. I was no longer allowed to go to my internship, and my class was going to finish up online. I'm grateful to live so close to the city so my mom and sister were able to come pick me up that night- but if I'm being honest, everyday has felt more and more uncertain. As I cleaned out my desk and walked home from work, the verse that kept recycling through my head was Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it's The Lord's purpose that prevails."

I know I'm not the only one who had a lot of plans... Beyond immediate plans, to finish the Chicago Semester and go to Michigan to finish the semester with the rest of my friends, I had plans, when I started college in August 2016, to walk across that graduation stage in my black cap and gown and receive the diploma I worked so hard for. I also planned to get a job doing what I feel most called to do, write for a company's communication department, and with the COVID 19 now covering the United States, it feels like all of these plans were shattered. While I don't see how these plans couldn't be good or used for The Lord's purpose, I'm trusting Him- as hard as it is.

While everyone is quarantined in their homes, I'm doing the work I need to do with what I can, in my home. More and more businesses close everyday, and no one knows when this will all be over. I probably won't be able to have a graduation, and I don't know when the next time will be when I get to see my friends again- it's like The Lord has said "if you won't trust me, I'll give you no other option." I'm learning to live each day for what it is. This experience is forcing me to be present where I am, live day-by-day, and truly trust God with everything I have.

I've been spending my days by doing internship and schoolwork in the morning, going on walks, and doing a lot of photography and writing. When this is all over, I know my faith, trust, wisdom and so much more will be the strongest it's ever been- and the United States college class of 2020, will indefinitely have quite a story to tell.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6