The Pursuit

This summer has probably been one of the most challenging but at the same time most satisfying seasons of my life. I am home from my first year at college where I became accustomed to the freedom of making my own choices, being surrounded by my friends 24/7 and in general existing in an environment that thrives on the unexpected. Enter this summer, 13 credit hours, babysitting my sister 5 days a week, teaching swim lessons, and being fully involved in my church's college ministry. Lets just say that my summer has been structured down to the minute, and guess what, it's driving me crazy. 

To be honest with you guys, at the beginning of the summer I was so jealous for some of my friends who are getting to go somewhere new and do something exciting. Whether it be mission trips to Honduras, the Philippines, Nicaragua, India, and countless others, to working Summer Life camp as some of my college friends are doing, to my brother going to Kansas with his internship. I was jealous of you all. No shame, I guess in my mind the Lord keeping me in Columbia this summer was not an exciting experience, I was ungrateful for the opportunities I have had so far this summer. Not only have I been granted the opportunity to raise my GPA and advance on my road to med school, I have been blessed with incredible friendships that I never would have had the opportunity to make if I had been anywhere else. I have also deepened some of my existing friendships, and been given the opportunity to watch the little kids I instruct swimming to advance and conquer fears and learn new things. Some of these kiddos are inspiring. In particular there is a 2 year old little girl that I instruct, every day she has a lesson she runs into my backyard towards the pool and wraps her little arms around my legs and looks up saying, "Miss Sarah, I missed you! I am glad to see you today!" Talk about heart melting. This little girl is a JOY to instruct. She is so excited about everything about swimming and is basically fearless. There is also the occasional note from my kiddos telling me how much they love swimming with me and how they have so much fun.  I was so blind to my influence, I mean I talk all the time about wanting to invest in others and here I am all summer, spending countless hours 4 days a week with 10 different kids helping them learn and love the water.

The Lord is giving me endless opportunities to grow and mature in my walk with him, through being around my more spiritually mature college friends, to the teaching I receive 3 times a week through Sunday School, sermon, and bible study, the Lord is revealing himself to me more and more in ways I never thought possible. I'll be honest, this summer has been tough. I miss my friends, I miss the college environment, and I miss different parts of the freedom that comes with "being on your own." But at the same time, I have loved being at home with my family. Regardless of how early the mornings are, I love being awakened by my little sister crawling into bed with me whispering, "Sissy, can you come make me breakfast?" I love eating dinner around the table with my family and talking about our days. I love being the one to pull out my little sister's third tooth. I love being able to craft with my mom and sister, laughing and teasing the entire time. I had forgotten how blessed I am to have such a tight-knit family. Because let me tell you, we are super close and being apart from my big brother who is basically my best friend has been pretty painful. This summer has been a season of growth, spiritual, intellectual, and mental.

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Matthew 7:11

This summer is a gift, and I am sorry it has taken me so long to realize how great a gift it is.