So this month marks my 10 year anniversary since graduating from undergrad. Craziness. And to celebrate I met up with friends and walked the campus. It was weird to see that our hang out spot (the old student center) back in the day had been emptied out and a new hang out (the new student center) was now established. As I relayed this info to my friend on the phone who was running late I was comforted that she too was in shock about this change.
So we ate at the “new” hang out spot and indulged in conversation about our lives now. Afterward we walked the campus and old memories were stirred. I remembered crying on the steps of my old dorm, talking to Jesus about my broken heart. I remembered all the naps I took between classes and during final’s week at the “old” hang out spot. The couches previously there 10 years ago had been removed 😕. We reminisced about the gospel rap concert we threw junior year and how it rained but how God was still glorified. I shared about the boot I got on my car from all the parking tickets I had accumulated and we talked about the “Jericho Walk”, a walk we did with our campus ministry to pray for the campus and stand in the gap for the people. I was actually informed that students after us did that walk and probably continue to even now. I think I still have the t-shirt we made for that though its now in the pajama-wear category…
True story, I actually still had my college I.D in my wallet and tried to use it at the recreation center.
The poor student worker tried a good 3 times to get it to work before I shared that it was an old i.d. Apparently they still look the same 😁. We stayed for hours and upon our arrival I heard God’s voice. Most people have fond childhood memories attached to old neighborhoods. Just last week my pastor was sharing his own and I shared with him I had no attachment to my city. I always felt detached and it always bothered me. Though I see now how important it was for my mom and I to relocate when I was younger, the downfall was being removed from both sides of my family and not feeling a part of a family. The Lord did remind me years ago that He Himself did not have a place to lay His head and so I’ve tried to comfort myself with that truth. But, as soon as I got to my old college campus, I knew, this was my place. This was my home. This is where I was born (again) and this is where I accumulated (spiritual) family. This place always held the fondest of memories for me even though all of my memories were not fond. But this was where I found the love of my life (Jesus) and fell in love in a way I had never experienced before. I was so encouraged by this revelation. It felt so good to have a place to call “home”.
We left the campus and I teared up but I reminded myself that I couldn’t hold onto anything temporary. That I had to hold everything loosely. Still, the Lord was clearly showing me that He cared. He brought these women to meet me and share in my celebration of all that He has done in these 10 years. He has moved mountains within me and in them too. I could never have guessed the plans He had for me upon graduation, but surely they were to prosper me, in accordance with His word.
His peace and love and prosperity mark my life and mark the lives of those around me.
He is worthy.
SHALOM
