Being a part-time, working university student, it’s easy to get lost in the busyness of my schedule. On top of that, there are so many lingering questions like “Where is my future headed?” and “Who am I?” This stage in life has been a scary process – with numerous challenges and constant transition… But if there’s one thing I have been learning these past few years, it’s that God provides – no matter where our circumstances are. God always reveals himself to us in ways we don’t expect.
January 2014: I had just been accepted to the Nursing Program at Ryerson University in Toronto. High school was coming to an end and I was stoked that my plans for university were in place. Fast forward to July 2014: I was cruising through summer break until I received a phone call from Ryerson. Long story short, I was told that my grades were not good enough and my acceptance was revoked. All I remember was a lot of disappointment, fear and shame. That week was awful and all I felt like was a failure. I was a counsellor for a kid’s camp that week and I didn’t want to show that I was upset. I ended up telling some other counsellors what had happened. They were so supportive and told me that they were praying for me. I was praying. My family and friends were praying. My next step was to take some action. I had to look through my expired offers from other schools and see if they would re-consider me. I received a “no” from the University of Toronto. And when I thought all hope was lost, I heard back from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). They told me that they re-considered the offer they had given me earlier that year. God was listening and I put my trust in him during that dark, emotional time in my life.
Right now, I am preparing to enter my third year at UOIT for Public Health Sciences. I look back at what happened and I am so incredibly thankful. One: for the family and friends God has blessed me with. Two: for the challenge that God let me face. And three: that God provides for me when I feel hopeless. God used that difficult time in my life to strengthen my faith and remind me that ALL my plans are in his hands. He continues to do that for me today. I have met so many amazing friends at UOIT and I would not have known them if my life went down the other path. I am now very involved in Campus Ministry and have been offered many opportunities to serve and grow in my relationship with Christ. God always reveals himself to us in ways we don’t expect – we just have to have a lens of faith to see it.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. –Hebrews 11:1
Just recently I experienced God once again providing for me in an unexpected way. I have had a part-time job for about 4 years now but coming into this summer, I wanted to find another job to help with my financial situation. I applied at this one place and I was pretty confident in getting the job. I didn’t get a call or an e-mail for over a month. I was discouraged, so I was going to give up on the job search. Just when I was accepting my summer the way it was, Pastor Jonathan came to me saying that the government gave the Village a few student grants and that I should apply for one. Now here I am, writing this blog post as a summer intern! On top of that, I also was offered a social media intern job with my brother’s band Lightfall. Let me say it again: GOD PROVIDES! I found out that my mom was praying for me and a job opportunity to come my way. An answered prayer for her and for me.
Now I know that when I ask questions like “Where is my future headed?” and “Who am I?” I can find comfort in the fact that my identity is found in Christ and I don’t need to be afraid if I just trust in him. It is so amazing knowing that wherever life takes me, God is walking beside me. I just need to have faith. There are still so many obstacles that I deal with every day. Personal issues and emotional battles. But he is with me through it all. Amidst those dark and painful moments in life, are beautiful opportunities to learn and grow. He has a perfect plan for me.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28
It was a great summer working at the Village. I’ve loved getting to spend time with the Manafo family and get to know Lindsay (our children’s director) and Emily (our summer media intern). I look forward to see where God takes our church community at The Village.