For those of you who don’t know, the day after I graduated, I packed up my home in Milledgeville and moved to Athens for an internship. I was excited at first because one of my best friends was doing the same internship and I was going to be in a new place after four years in a tiny little town. After a day in Athens, my thoughts did a complete 180. I hated everything about living in Athens, and I let everyone I talked to know it.
So to show you just some of the things I complain about, here is a list of why I hate Athens:
1. I work 9-5 Monday-Friday
2. My internship is unpaid
3. I have no income
4. I don’t know anyone
5. All of my friends still live relatively close together
6. I cant nap
7. There are bugs in my house
8. On two separate occasions, I put my shoe on and there was a cockroach in it
My schedule consists of waking up at 6:45 to go to the gym, working from 9-5, and then making dinner and sitting alone in my house reading until I fall asleep.
Now you might notice that none of the things on the above list are specifically related to Athens. So no, I don’t actually hate Athens. I hate change.
For the past four years of my life, I have been constantly surrounded by friends. My best friends literally living two doors down from me. Now I live in a town where I know three people, two of whom I work with everyday.
For the past three weeks, I have been bitter and sulking because I “hated Athens.” Hated the fact that I had to move here and work while all of my friends got to spend the day at the lake or go to a braves game (I don’t like sports but fomo). I’ve blamed my dislikes and struggles on Athens, when really, the simple answer is that Im holding onto what my “old life” was like.
Its funny the way God works. Moving to Athens alone was the wake up call that I needed. Im leaving in October for 11 months to live in places I’ve never been, with people I’ve never met (in person
), with no income. Its similar to me moving to Athens but on a much grander, less luxurious scale.
1. I will most likely be working longer than a 9-5 because God doesn’t have a schedule.
2. I will still not be paid.
3. I will still have no income.
4. I wont know anyone in these countries except for my squad.
5. All of my friends will still be in contact with one another & life will go on without me.
6. I will probably nap a ton
7. There will be bugs. And bugs. And the biggest and scariest bugs I’ve ever seen.
The year I’m gone will be the biggest change I’ve experienced in my entire life. I cant hate every place I go just because it isn’t what I wanted it to be. I will be experiencing the greatest joys while I’m gone, and I cant be so focused on the past that I miss out on these amazing moments.
I’m learning that I need to appreciate the things I do have, instead of dwell on the things I want/ don’t have. I’m going to be missing out on a lot, but I have the opportunity to share the Gospel around the world with a family of believers I never knew I needed. (S/O Route 3)
So I ask you today, pray for me. Pray for my squad. Pray that we are at peace with this change, that we are accepting of Gods plan for us. Pray that we can remember our old lives, but not hold onto them. Pray that we don’t hate, but that we joyfully love with all that we are given.
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Colossians 1: 11-12
