The phases in our lives

Hello friends!

I hope your all having a lovely day today. Goodness, I won't lie to you guys, lately I have been a stressful mess. I am waiting to receive some paperwork from graduate school. It is the "official" paperwork as you may call it, and it has honestly been driving me crazy. I have already been notified that I have received the graduate teaching assistantship position, but I haven't received my official notice from the actual Masters program. I have the personality where if every single bit of the official paperwork is not in my hands, then I cannot be 100% sure. I know, I'm slightly crazy. I am praying that I get my official notice this week. Like really, really, praying. PLEASE Lord. If you could be praying for me for that, that would be wonderful! :)

Last night we had a Young Life meeting for all of the middle school leaders, and we talked about how as Christians we go through different seasons during our lives. Some seasons are spent slowly reaching a goal, some are spent slowly waiting on an answer from the Lord, some are spent gaining a whole new perspective on life, the list goes on. The bottom line is that sometimes these seasons God puts in our lives can turn out to be quite the challenge that we never expected them to be.

Let me tell you friends, God has placed me in a season of waiting these past couple of months. I am at a time in my life where I have finally given Jesus full control, and being the control freak that I am I will honestly tell you it has been hard for me. I am going through a serious transition just in general  in my life right now. I am getting ready to graduate college, move into the world of graduate school, and walk down a path where I have no idea what will happen next. Despite being uncomfortable about not being in the driver's seat, I am starting to get the hang of things. I like how every single day is a surprise. I have no control over any of it, and I truly do not know what will happen at any moment. As stressful as that may sound, it is actually a huge blessing. (When I'm not trying to be a control freak...;)

So I guess right now the Lord has me in this season of waiting for a reason. Actually I don't guess that, I know. I know that it is for my own good. I know something wonderful is just right around the corner, and I just have to be patient and wait. Sometimes He gives me hints of whats next, and I get really excited. But for now, I must continue to trust in His timing and wait. As much as I wish things would happen on my agenda, I know deep down that the Lord is working for my own good. If I were actually in control of my day-to-day life, my life would be a disaster.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
Romans 8:28

Keep persevering friends. Whatever your going through, trust the LORD.  Don't give up. It may seem confusing and you may question some things, but just because things don't match up 100% doesn't mean God isn't there. Pray that God will give you perseverance to endure whatever you are going through.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" 

Galatians 6:9

Another thing that I am struggling with in my period of waiting is understanding that overnight success isn't a reality. I sometimes have such a hard time with being patient and realizing that I truly do have to work hard at something every day and be persistent with it in order to succeed. Sounds crazy, right? I think that God is just trying to teach me to live in the moment. I think I struggle with that a lot of the time. I'm thankful He is working on me with that.

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
James 5:7-8

This blog is a perfect example of my struggle with being patient. I want to instantly connect with a million amazing bloggers and instantly have a million followers . Yeah, not exactly reality Jess. It is especially hard to be patient with something that you are passionate about. You know good things are coming, but God tells you at the same time: "Wait." That is not exactly an easy answer from God to respond too, but you have to trust Him. I am, and as hard as it has been, I am learning that is is way more fun to enjoy the process of reaching a goal instead of constantly wishing things were different. I know He knows what is best for me personally. Above everything else, I have been blessed with so many things in my life that I pray God will always give me a thankful heart for every day.

What season of life are you guys currently in? What has God directed you to do? I'd love for you to share with me! Hope you all are having a lovely day! 
 
ps....you know who I would LOVE to see in concert? these guys :)

xoxo