Everyone has a story
I've always said that everyone has a story. Whenever talking to anyone, to always treat them justly because you never know what they're going through. It isn't until this summer that throughout my internship I am able to understand (and still learn more) about this phrase. Throughout this week I was able to talk to Jimmy, Daumal, Daniel, Tommy, Hawk, Price, and several other guys. Each of these guys had their own story. With each of them I was also able to tell them parts of my story and be able to connect with them through that. With Jimmy in particular, I was able to see someone through his eyes. Every word of that conversation I had with him was like that someone was talking to me. It really helped open my eyes to see his point of view from the situation and slowly start to restore certain things that I myself have struggled with.
Going out to the streets day after day also helps see the reality of the world. While I say this time and time again, coming from Georgia Tech, I was completely oblivious to half of the things going around in my own community. Being an intern for Church on the Street helps create newfound relationships that have helped me grow stronger in my faith and in myself as well. Talking so several of the guys from the streets gives me perspective of my struggles compared to everyone's struggles. One thing that has been hard for me, and still is, is being away from my friends and family. Even though I have made several new friends here and I love it, I miss everyone back at school and home. Going to Devo Dinner was very strange to me because I wasn't used to that surrounding anymore. I felt kinda weird! I struggled going back to my COTS surrounding because I realized just how much I love my friends at Tech. The same goes with my family. Every Sunday they visit me and every Sunday they leave me. I love it but I hate it everytime. Texting my sister and mom makes my day a little better but also makes me think about how much I love them. I love my family back in Mexico as well. Knowing that my mom is going to Mexico to see them for a week makes me extremely happy because I know she needs to see them but it also makes me sad because I want to see them too.
See, my grandfather passed away a few months ago and the last time I saw my family was for his funeral. It's been pretty hard sometimes but my family and I have been able to overcome the sadness and be happy that he is in a better place. However, that's not to say that there hasn't been any struggles. I would have loved to go and see my family in Mexico and yeah it made me sad I can't go but I know that God put me here for a reason. I know that God is slowly guiding me to the path that He wants me to be in. But it has been rough every now and then.
Crazy how God works though... just as I was getting real low I read this quote from "With Justice for All":
God will use your suffering to “perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you”
I absolutely loved this quote because I was going through some suffering and it was God's way of saying "I'm making you stronger". Through all this time away I've had from my family, God is making me stronger. Through the times I'm away from my friends, God is making me stronger. But it also is the same for everyone I've talked to, everyone who's reading this, everyone in general. For Jimmy, God is making him stronger through the tempations he faces and the decisions he makes. For Daumal, God is making him stronger for the patience the commitment he has for his friends. I just pray that God can keep us focused on the important things He has for us and to help us realize that through life and its suffering- it is there that He strengthens us the most. Ahhh I need to remember this everyday. Please keep me in yours prayers and everyone else too!
Jenny Sample
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