As we spend time this month speaking and reflecting on sisterhood, I have been really trying hard to reflect on what sisterhood truly is and looks like. Sisterhood is purely about intentionality, vulnerability, and selflessness.

I grew up in a large family with three brothers and two sisters, making me the middle sister. While there are pros and cons to growing up with both an older and younger sister, one thing I have loved more than anything is the form of discipleship that we get to experience. For me I have loved getting to have an older sister who has walked a road ahead of me to counsel me and that I can learn from. I have also loved getting to have a younger sister who is looking up to me to see how I live my life, not putting pressure on me, but keeping me accountable for the way I live my life because I see that I am setting an example. I just want to take a second to be an older sister for the girl who feels lost in transition and needs to know she is not alone…

Transition can be hard. Hard to explain, hard to process. I graduated college this May, but finished my last semester online when moving to work for Live Original. I transitioned way earlier than I had ever planned. A mixture of unexpected goodbyes, but also the overwhelming excitement for working a dream job. I have loved getting to be a part of this community with such encouraging girls who lead me to Christ. While I truly have enjoyed my time the last few months on this new adventure, it has not been easy. I went from being the president of a social club surrounded by a great community, to feeling like a freshman again having to rebuild a community from the ground up. I was new and I REALLY don’t like being new. I moved away from my hometown where all my family live and missed out on many family moments not being home. On top of it all I was working on finishing school and balancing being mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. BUT I can confidently say that despite everything I felt in the beginning, it has been good and the Lord is such a faithful, steadfast, Father through all the changing and growing.

I realize how I spent 3 full years of college setting up my perfect plan for my perfect life only for the Lord to drastically change my heart and open up doors that called me to a life that is almost unrecognizable. MY plan was not to say yes to a job & then move to Louisiana. MY plan was not to work for a ministry, and MY plan was for sure not to leave campus early to finish school online.

Looking back it wasn’t until I stepped outside of MY plan and looked at where the Lord was leading me that I recognized HIS plan was met with nothing but peace, love, growth, and yes uncomfortable moments, but also moments that I have been able to recognize His faithfulness like never before.

So instead of resenting the time and plan that was “taken from me,” I get to rejoice about the most influential season that was college. I thank Jesus for the conversations had, memories made, tears shed, and hard decisions made.

When I am doubting where the Lord has me I have learned to dive into scripture to flood my heart and mind with truth. These are only a few scriptures that I have written on my heart these last few months that allow me to put this season into perspective.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 30-34)

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love the Lord your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-38)

I’m thankful and in awe of a God who answers prayers, changes hearts (specifically mine), and doesn’t waiver or flee in confusing times. And while, yes, the current goodbyes are hard; the renewing and healing of my heart is all because of Jesus.

To the girl who is in a season of change: you are not alone, embrace the in between, run to the Father, and find confidence in the Gospel because there is so much beauty to be found.