Blessings (Ramblings of this High School Graduate)

God is so good.

Since high school graduation night (yes, I'm officially a high school graduate!), things have been crazy as well as exciting, beyond what I ever imagined. God has been showering me with blessings upon blessings, and I honestly don't deserve it!

I walked away on May 27th with my high school diploma, as well as several scholarships and the honor of being my senior class salutatorian. I had twenty-four hours to write a speech yet He gave me the words and filled my heart with the most peace I've ever had before speaking in front of people (especially several thousand!). That weekend, He provided the most supportive friends and the best celebration that was beyond what I expected as we celebrated this big milestone in my life.

The following weekend, I spent time celebrating my friend's birthday at Universal and then a week or two later, I went aboard a Disney cruise with another friend and her family. Nothing like being treated like royalty and a week away from everyday life! Returning back to reality, God has opened doors with a writing internship as well as been bringing new opportunities with a Bible study, new friends, and fun celebrations. 

As I write this, I just finished an amazing weekend at Freedom Fest, where I worshiped Jesus with Matthew West, Britt Nicole, Tenth Avenue North, and many more artists...and if you know me, you know I'm crazy about Christian concerts and worship time! It was such a blessing meeting one of my favorite bands, Anthem Lights, a couple of times, and I may have appeared calm on the outside but I was absolutely a wreck on the inside! Most of all, God spoke to my heart about trusting in Him as I approach this next stage of life, that as He tugs on my heart and leads me towards certain directions, I must not only trust that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength, but that His power is strong enough to help me do whatever He leads me to do. That may mean getting out of my comfort zone, but I'm learning to trust in the limitless power He has placed within me.

God is so faithful. But as I look back on all these blessings and more that He has been pouring into my life, I see the importance of surrender. My faith hasn't been at its strongest, yet He still provides as I surrender everything to Him. Every test, every scholarship, just the possibility of being salutatorian, and every single one of these events was given to Him. It was no longer mine, but His. There is power in giving every part of your life to God. There is power in surrender. Because when you declare that it is no longer yours, but in the hands of the Creator who spoke the universe into existence and raised Jesus from the dead, you can be sure that good things are on its way. You can be sure that God will bring the best.

Wherever you are at in life, even if you feel forgotten by God, even if you feel like life isn't so good right now and it's been hard to see any good thing, give it to Him. He may not bring you exactly what you want, but He can transform your broken heart and the broken parts of your life and turn it into something beautiful. He can take a broken perspective and speak clarity into your life. Before long, you might just be seeing blessings. Before long, you might just be seeing God's hand in your life.

I have experienced nothing less than that.