When I thought of what I wanted to say when looking back on the past academic year, one word continued to come to mind: provision. More specifically, God’s provision. Provision is defined by Google as “the action of providing or supplying something for use.” That’s exactly what God did this year. Rewind to the summer of 2019, and you see a girl who had just made it out of the hardest year of her life. All of the plans I was SURE of for myself and my career had just been wiped off the map. I’ll spare you all the details, but, in short, I was desperate for God’s provision, for Him to provide and supply what I needed.
I entered this school year with a hopeful heart, but I would have never guessed what was to come. I took on a new role as an upperclassmen Journey Group leader and would be studying the Bible with a group of young women every Monday night. Through discipling them, being friends with them and diving into God’s Word with them, I learned more about the value of Biblical community than I ever had before. It was through this group that God revealed to me my gift of Biblical hospitality and the calling to be a part of women’s ministry. Sharing my heart and life with those girls through the fall and spring semesters showed me a beautiful picture of God sharing His heart with us and that He stops at nothing to walk with us, despite our doubts, our failures, and our mess.
This school year I learned that nothing works better than cookies to gather people together to read God’s Word. I learned that it is okay to ask people for help. Most of all, God will always be faithful to meet us where we are and provide our every need.
Looking ahead, I am hopeful to be back on campus and living in a place that I love. I am excited and looking forward to cheering on the Tide, spending hours upon hours at Monarch drinking a vanilla sweet cream cold brew, and attending class for a major that is my passion.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
Shelby Rhodes
Senior
Dothan, AL