Stronger from the struggles

A few months ago, everything was going well with college, my friends, and my family. It was the typical college life full of classes, labs, basketball games, and spending time with friends. Then life decided to throw me a few unexpected curves.

First, a fellow Barton College student died while playing basketball in the student gym. I was shocked when I heard the news, as were several others. When it came time for the memorial service in the chapel, I was astonished to see everyone, including those who never knew him, come together and celebrate his life. Often times, tragedy brings people together. It was a hard time for everyone to get through, but we realized that even though we may not understand God's purpose, we must simply trust his will.

Not long after, I found out an old friend of mine died in a car accident. I couldn't believe it. I had no clue what to say or do. He was gone, just like that. I just basically told myself to push it aside because I had other priorities, such as school, and that I would deal with it later. I became extremely busy because I realized that the busier I was, the less time I had to think about him. I started to shut people out. A friend sent me a message that reminded me that God made a promise to us that we won't have to face life alone, and when we grow weak, his strength will overcome our own. That helped me realize that God makes us brave when we're afraid, makes us strong when we are weak, but most of all, He teaches us to hold on to Him when things keep falling.

This past Thursday my uncle passed away. I never expected it, especially after all that I had just gone through. I was in a state of shock yet again. By this time, I learned "when God drops needles and pins along my path in life, I shouldn't avoid them, but instead pick them up and collect them because they were designed to teach me to be stronger."

All of these experiences have given me a better perspective of life and death. As Joan Baez explains, "You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now."