Giving Back

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we have been comforted by God." 2 Cor. 1:3-4

Yesterday, between running to teaching various classes, I got stopped by one of my (former--she's in a different class now) student's moms. This girl is graduating this year, and like so many high school seniors, is not really sure what she wants to do with her life. Her mom started asking me about my journey through that process of figuring out life post-high school: the uncertainties, the doubts, the feeling that you're just untalented and useless, wondering what doors God will open, learning how He will open those doors..... Ah yes, I remember it quite well. It was rough, it was confusing, and it feels like you have to have your whole life planned out ahead of you. (Especially when you have friends who know EXACTLY what they want to do and are heading off to college...and you aren't really sure what your life will look like just yet...) But after that process ends---oh the peace you have inside, simply from making a decision!
For me, the peace didn't come until later, when I figured out that hey, God DOES have a plan for my life, and somehow He guided me right into the middle of it. But being able to share my thoughts on that process was so......fulfilling? I guess that's the word I'm looking for. It felt like it had come full circle, being able to share what I had learned for the benefit of others. And the funny thing I've been noticing lately is that sharing your thoughts and beliefs with others reaffirms them in your own life as well. That definitely could be one reason why we are called to speak so much about the faith and hope that we know---it reminds us of how real it is in our own lives. I love that how in blessing others, we oftentimes end up receiving a blessing as well; obviously, that's not why we bless others, but it is a loverly byproduct!