A New Semester. A new journey. I sit all ready to go to bed: damp hair, polka dot pajamas, two pairs of fuzzy socks on ( one knee high, the other fuzzy pair on top), my Pandora Hidden Garden Radio calls my name, and my snuggly bed is sending me to sleep.
I am ready. Not only to go to bed, but to start a whole new semester of college at Concordia University. We just started a new year, and now a new semester. And I AM READY!!
I have a healthy lunch all packed and ready to be put in its cooler. I have my schedule written out nicely and in bold I put where each class is located ( don't want to go to a room from last semester). I have syllabuses printed out and waiting for me at the printer{DON'T FORGET CARLY!!!} I have a cute and comfortable outfit planned out. I have my new laptop bag ready with a planner, pens, pencils, paper, laptop cover, hand sanitizer, the whole shabang!!
SO YES I am ready, but all these preparations will have been done for nothing if I go to school with a bad perspective or a grumpy attitude.
I feel like a different person this time. Last semester, I was still stuck in my High School thinking and perspective. I said I loved God, but barely knew him. Sure I knew the right Sunday School answer to give, but personally, I couldn't feel God. I was lost. On the outside, I was doing great! Leading a small group, getting super involved at the college ministry at Saddleback Church, working part-time as a cashier/party hostess at Big Air Trampoline Park, and still somehow breathing. Throw in choir, tons of homework, and you get my busy schedule.
I was so busy. Busy with school. Busy with work. Busy with choir. Busy with small group. Busy with church. Busy with everything. Yet, I still was not hearing God clearly.
One day, while I was journaling, I realized God had been communicating with me the whole time, I was the one who was either not listening or, not paying attention. On the bottom of every page in my journal is a verse. Now being the very observant girl I am, I totally noticed these verses.... well actually it was on a normal Friday and I looked down and what do you know, a bible verse. I am such a dork. I read the verse. I turned the page back to the one before and read that verse. Then it hit me. Each verse on the bottom of the page corresponded to what I had been journaling that day.
I remember sitting on the floor waiting for my class to start, when all of a sudden I couldn't stop smiling. God was still there. He had never moved....I had. And I was going to then move closer than ever and keep drawing close to Him.
So here I am. Still Carly Ann Wilke. But I have most definitely changed. And for the better.
I have made time for God every day and have been falling in love with my savior!!! He has changed me so much in the allotted time of a month.
He has broken down my walls. He has cleaned and bandaged my wounds. He has saved me.
A year ago, I was not this close to God. I talk to Him like my best friend. I leave my prayers open until I go to bed because there is always either something or someone to be praying for! I start my day with Him. I read the Bible and soak in all the truth and beauty I can from what I read. I enjoy God's creation by hiking, running, and looking up at the beautiful sky.
This semester will be different. I have a newly rooted faith in Christ Jesus. I have a less busy schedule. Instead of going to school every day, I will be going to school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I can't wait to see what God will do this semester. I can't wait to see how he moves in my life. I can't wait to learn more. I can't wait to love more.
I believe God can move in your life, even if it is a busy one. He will always work things out for His glory. BUT, instead of confining God to your schedule, work your schedule around your time with Him....wow. Just think of all He could do.
So that's what I have done. I have two full days free for God to do what He wills. If that means me staying home and just spending time with him, then I will do it. If that means going to coffee with a good friend, a new friend, a mentor, or a seventh grader, then I will do it.
My prayer for this semester is this:
GOD USE ME, SPEAK TO ME, LOVE ME, TEACH ME, SAVE ME!!
I pray that this new beginning brings you all blessings and that you too, will take time to get to know your creator....Trust me, He is a rad guy!!!
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them every sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love our name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield."
~Psalm 5:11-12
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