This past weekend some things just worked out where I was able to make a return to my alma mater Texas Tech!
I was excited to see people that I haven't seen in almost a year and to simply be back in Lubbock, a place I called home for 3 1/2 years.
I'm not sure what I expected from the weekend, but I left with such a thankfulness, such a peace, such a surety that I am exactly where God has called me to be in my life.
As much fun as seeing old friends was, eating in old places, coffee in my favorite coffee shop, etc. As Sunday came and time to be back in Houston approached, I was ready to be... HOME.
When I left lubbock after I graduated I felt like I was leaving my life. My friends, my job, my school, my places of comfort etc. I took a leap of faith and did as God led me going overseas for 3 months. I wasn't sure what my life was going to look like when I returned, I wasn't sure what I was going to do, and not knowing made leaving Lubbock so hard.
I realize now that this past year has been the best year of my life. I've been overseas twice, I've preached in churches, schools, youth groups, in streets, more times than I can count. I've made new friends, new contacts, and I'm blessed beyond my wildest imagination. I've grown in my relationship with the Lord in ways I never knew possible and seen God move in power in my life, others lives, in America and abroad.
This past year has been a joy ride. A time with so much life, so much experience, so much learning and teaching, being mentored by the most amazing woman of God and mentoring others, finding who I am and who I want to be, everyday includes ministry, but also being ministered to! I've done more in the past year than I expected to be able to do in a life time. I've seen God do more than I could have imagined!!!
I went to Lubbock and I guess I expected to somehow find some regret, to maybe just not want to leave, or at least realize that I've missed it badly. I didn't feel any of that. I love my friends there, I'm so thankful and blessed for the friends, teachers, professors, pastors, and families that invested their lives into me while there because they helped me to be who I am now; Content, in God's will, on the right path, loving life, growing, etc. I left and I was thankful to be home, to the place where I belong.
I had a great time hanging with friends, giving a lecture to a class, drinking coffee, talking about the Lord, discussion with my professor, staying up way too late, and just enjoying a weekend in a place that has sooo helped form me. I'm thankful for this weekend, but more than anything I'm thankful for the confirmation it brought to me.
I'm not a college student, I'm a young adult, with a big kid job, a daughter of the most High King, and He directed my steps just the way He wanted them even when I wasn't sure where He was taking me. He's loved me, taught me, molded me, grown me, allowed me to be a vessel, and His ways are so far beyond my ways.
I'd love to say that at the end of this processing and realizing how awesome God is that Lord I'll never doubt you ever again, but I think I'll try to be realistic of who I am and just say God even when I don't know, even when I don't understand, I'll follow where you lead and throughout the rest of my lives I'll have many more similar stories.
I followed God not knowing where I was going (much like Abraham Hebrews 11:8) and then I realized just how faithful He is, I realized how the place He wants to take us is better than we can imagine, I know that He has plans to prosper and not harm me, I am blessed, content, joyful, ecstatic, and love the life that God has prepared for me.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
