Paul in the Post Grad

I grew up as a Christian but it wasn't until I hit college that I began to understand what it meant to follow Christ, what it meant to have a relationship with God the Father, and what it meant to have God's Word. But with the help of Jesus and an extremely faithful friend this God that was stuck in solely my Sunday mornings began to become real to me. 

This journey started as I read and studied through Philippians with my most patient friend Katie (and when I say we "read" Philippians I mean she was nice enough to let me "reread" at the beginning of each of our meetings, because although I never told her and she never admitted it, we both knew I never read before we met). It was with Katie that I was introduced for the first time to the sassy Paul and it only seems right that in my post college graduate limbo (because that's what the summer after you graduate is, its a land of limbo and waiting) I can turn back to my old friend Paul to lean on as I try and follow God in this transition. 

We are never truly ready for life's big transitions (and I use we because I like to believe that I am not the only one living in denial) and although I like to act like I have my life together, I have to admit that life after graduation is hard. And as I look back on my four years part of me, the part that's scared of the future (and doesn't do well resting in God's provisions) is begging to go back for just one more year. One more year at the place I know, at the place I'm comfortable, at the place I have made a name for myself, and friends, and leadership titles. And I realized the other day as I was missing these things that I was clinging to earthly comforts and that God has so much more for me, but that if I'm being honest with myself, I would rather take the ordinary than the extraordinary that God has planed for me because it's easier. 

SO, the point of this long rant is that God has made it clear to me that this time my life in transition is not going to be one that happens alone, because this time I know God. 

• He has given me a community of friends that point me back to Him and His promises, and even if I'm not within walking distance (or pillow talk crying distance) of them, they are still there to support me. 
• He has given me the promise of a new faith community in my new town (still praying circles on this one but its not an if its a when)
• He has given me His Word
• And I feel he has told me 'I have given you Paul'.

And so in the next couple weeks, months, however long it takes, I'm going to walk with Paul (the sassy friend I need to call me out when I'm feeling sorry for myself) and learn more about how I can find God in my Post Grad blues, my Post Grad Joys, my Post Grad successes & failures, as I work to find God in my life away from the bubble that was college. 

This blog is a way to help me work on discipline, keep track of my crazy thoughts, provide encouragement, and so I can come back in 20 years and see prayers answered and laugh at young me. It will most likely have spelling mistakes (even with spell check), a good deal of sarcasm and jokes I think are funny but no one else will, and very little editing (which might mean it may not always make sense - I don't always connect of finish my thoughts), but my hope and prayer is that it will be honest and vulnerable and that even in 2015 in Maryland, Paul and I can forge a friendship and I can learn more about the God I love.