P r o v i d e r

Today I felt this overwhelming sense of security and assurance. This feeling is something that has been developing since I started my transition to the University of Florida. Although I was nervous, I was never afraid of the future. During the entire process, there was a calmness over me that is unlike anything I could explain, especially coming from a person who is usually full of anxiety. The only explanation is the overwhelming peace, which comes from The Lord, and Him alone. 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:6-7

When I decided to transfer to UF in December of 2017, I immediately began to pray for what my future would look like. There were so many unknowns and so many things that had to work out "just right," for me to be able to transfer in smoothly. I needed 60 credit hours because UF only accepts junior level transfers. As a freshman, that number seemed unheard of. I thought to myself, "how in the world am I going to be able to do that in a spring + summer semester?" At the time, I only had 14 college credits under my belt from the fall semester. You can do the math...that's FORTY SIX credit hours. So, let me explain how I am currently enrolled as a junior level transfer at the University of Florida. In high school, my goal was to take as many AP classes as I possibly could. I really enjoy pushing myself and my abilities. So I did. Passing those exams gave me 27 credits, which equals about 2 1/2 semesters of college. Those classes ended up being my saving grace during my transfer process. All I needed was 6 credits, which I took over the summer. Looking back, I am confident that the Lord's provision was over me when I decided to take those classes in high school. I would not have been able to transfer to my dream school if it weren't for those AP classes. This wasn't the first time I saw the Lord's provision, and it sure won't be the last. 

After realizing that I could transfer, I began my application process. The nerves went away for a while and I was just excited to get in and begin my new adventure. I was informed that it could take 6-8 weeks for be to know if I had been accepted or not. The first month passed with ease, but as time crept along, I started to doubt if I had good enough scores, essays, and grades to even get in. The enemy was trying to get me to doubt my worth. I prayed time and time again that the admissions office would find favor in me, but if I didn't get in, that it would be because The Lord had something better in store for me. I began to relinquish the hold on my future and wholly surrender it to The Lord. At the end of the 8 week window, I began checking my application status multiple times a day to see if there were any signs of their decision. On February 28, 2018, I opened my portal to a message that said, "Congratulations!! Your application to the University of Florida for the Fall 2018 term has been approved!" All I could think to say was, "thank you, Lord!" Once again, He provided.

Six months later, I am currently in Gainesville, and everything is falling into place perfectly. 

My biggest fear in transferring was that I would not be able to find a community of believers like I had in North Carolina at Opendoor Church. I developed friendships and fellowship with so many people, and being there just felt comfortable. During a counselors retreat for the camp I worked this summer, I stood with one of the Church intercessors and we prayed, standing in agreement that The Lord would provide community for me in Gainesville. Yesterday, The Lord answered my prayers in a very evident way. I attended a church that my sweet, wise, and faithful friend, Gracyn recommended to me. Not only did I feel so welcomed at Alive Church, I felt like it was exactly where I needed to be - it felt like home. I left feeling so full and so touched by the Lord and what he spoke through the pastor. And as if that wasn't enough, I attended a 'House Church,' thanks to an invite from another one of my awesome friends and fellow gator ;), Noelle. As soon as I walked into the house, girls pretty much swarmed me, asking all about me, genuinely wanting to get to know me. It was so evident that their hearts were on fire for Jesus and my heart rejoiced, almost to the point of tears. 

I sat in my room last night... eyes welling up, lips quivering, and a sense of gratitude that only comes from someone who has seen the hand of The Lord so clearly. Six months of praying for community was answered within 24 hours of me stepping foot on this campus as a student.

Provider of all my needs. 

About 36 hours into living in Gainesville, The Lord provided once more. I interviewed with a mother of 2 kids for a nannying position today. One like it had fallen through, but I continued to pray for another door to open. And it did, just a week later. A mutual friend of mine recommended me to this family, knowing I loved kids and was looking for a job. I was offered the job, and I will start in 2 weeks, which I am SO excited about. This is a perfect example of a door closing and another door opening. I just had to trust that in His time, He would provide a job for me. 

Today, I heard Him say to me, "Brooke, you are going to be okay, because I am right here with you, and I am going to continue providing. Are you going to trust me with your life and this new season?"

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

I share all this to encourage you to pray...pray boldly...pray with expectation, and don't take unanswered prayers as permanently closed doors. You really do not know what The Lord has in store for you. Sometimes He will say yes, but other times He will say no. My best advice for you is to take either answers with a thank you on your lips. Thank Him no matter what because He moves on your behalf ALWAYS, whether you realize it or not. He is mightier than we could ever imagine and is more able than we could comprehend. So let Him control your life. Let go of the reigns and surrender yourself to Him. I can assure you with absolute confidence that His plan for your life is much better than the one you think you need.

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:24

He will provide and continue to provide.

Your job is to just let Him.  

Brooke