You Learn More than Just Reading and Writing at College

I got a text tonight from my Talissa tonight: "Sorry it is late...but i am stressing over my earth science test...i havent studied very much. How were his tests?" I gave her a call because talking is way better than texting.

We both came to the conclusion that for some reason school just stresses us out. Why? Talissa just got home from a six month stay in Brazil. She traveled on her own and lived with people that she hardly knew, and yet she told me "I can't remember the last time I've felt this stressed."

Lately, the combination of school work, making friends, and searching for a job has been wearing me down. Sometimes I get almost frantic thinking am I hanging out with enough people? Am I building enough relationships? Am I building the right relationships? How am I gonna find a job? How am I gonna pay for school, or insurance or transportation? How is this all gonna work out?!

I tell Him that He is in control and then I fear. I tell Him that He will provide and then I worry. No matter how many times I learn that lesson I find that I am ever like Peter when he stepped out of the boat. Those waves get me every time. They threaten to drown, but praise God, His hand is always there.

I was reminded today of how foolish my worries are. My mom and grandma came up to see me for the day and after lunch I took them on the el to Lincoln Park because I think it is just cute down there. We got Cold Stone on our way back and then I went to run up to my dorm to get something for them before they left. When I dug through my purse, however, I did not find my ID. I panicked a little bit, I can't lie. I was tired, and my head hurt, and I didn't want to deal with this problem. I snapped at my grandma, and even as I did it I knew that it wasn't right, but I was just so upset. Upset that I had been so stupid and upset that we had to go all the way back to Kimball to look for my ID. I didn't even know if it would still be on the train, or if I had lost it on the street somewhere. I know my mom prayed. And I think my grandma prayed, and I know that when she called grandpa, he prayed, because that is what he does. And finally, I prayed. I think that the end of the story is pretty obvious. God proved me wrong. Showed me He knew. Showed me that He cares about the small things and that He is going to care about the big things too. Like my school and my job.

I told my Talissa not to worry because what is a test to God? And I told her I would pray for her, and when I did I prayed for myself too. That He wouldn't let me ever forget that He is Lord. Praise Him!