Day-to-Day Blessings
Sometimes, I think we expect God to work in obvious and breathtaking ways, but I’m not convinced that’s what He does.
Twenty-one days ago, I packed up my life and moved to the Nune field for a four-month internship. This is the first time I have ever lived out of the country, even the first time I’ve ever lived outside of my parents’ home.
This has been a huge change for me — inevitably a good one, but still a change that brings its own challenges and fears. I have called out to God over and over again, in so many little moments, for every fear, every feeling of homesickness and every worry that I won’t be good enough. I think I was expecting him to respond with something huge — maybe a life-changing truth, or a radical shift in my emotions so that I never feel bad ever again.
I have yet to suddenly feel eradicated of every anxiety. However, I’ve noticed countless little responses to my problems. It’s as if God is telling me: your problems are day-to-day, so I’m going to meet you in the day-to-day moments.
I have experienced so many little blessings. God has shown me his grace by giving me not one but at least three running routes, because He knows how running grounds me. On a day where I felt panicked that I wasn’t doing enough, someone I was working with came up to me and looked me directly in the eyes and said, “You will never know how helpful you are being right now.” I could almost feel God’s presence in the room, telling me that He is enough.
In a city without much picturesque nature, He provided a beautiful garden at the house I am living at. Every time I have felt scared, a Bible verse that I didn’t even know I had memorized has run through my head. Whenever I have felt lonely, someone will reach out to me from home and remind me that I am not alone. He has also provided me with amazing people where I am.
So, perhaps I haven’t experienced a radical shift that has led to eternal happiness, but I am experiencing the mercy and love of God in so many moments. I can see Him meeting me where I am — in the small moments of panic and fear — with small blessings of encouragement and love.