As I start this last season of my race, I can’t help but contemplate all the seasons of my life that led up to where I am now. To be fully present on the race, I had to give up a lot. I’m not saying that to complain; it’s just the truth. There were things in my life that I couldn’t have going forward.
The season right before my race was a really great one. I had such a wonderful job at The Breakers, where I worked as a banquet server. I got to meet really interesting people including celebrities, high-strung people, and down-to-earth folks. While working there, I was attending Palm Beach Atlantic University. Being in college wasn’t super fun for me. I never really enjoyed going to classes; I only did it because I was always told it was the right thing to do. But looking back now I see that it was also necessary. Along with university, I was involved with a really great church, Christ Fellowship, specifically, the CityPlace Campus with Pastor John Poitevent. He challenged me to be better and really live by what the Bible says. I was in a relationship before the race where we spurred one another on towards Christ. I learned what a God-honoring relationship looks like for the first time in my life. I am so thankful for that season. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without that season.
Before I stepped into that chapter, that lasted around three years, I was in a really bad place. I moved away from my family in Michigan when I was 17. I wanted to attend college in Florida, but more than that, I wanted my freedom. For two years I made really poor decisions and was completely focused on what was best for me. I wanted to be “cool” and would do anything to attain that feeling. I fell into the party scene and ended up going to clubs almost every night. Those two years were a time of me being selfish and not caring what was actually good for me – physically, mentally, and spiritually. Though it was a season I would never choose to go through again, I am thankful for it. I know that I wouldn’t have the dependence on God that I have today without it. I know how low I sunk, so I know how much God had to lift me up from that pit. Because of those years I can really relate to the Psalmist when he writes, “You lifted me out of the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock.” Because of that time I have confidence in his ability to save and work all things together for my good.
I’m now in a new chapter. It’s one that is focused around community and growing in the Lord. It’s so strange to me that this season has a definite ending. It’s less than three months away. Then this community is gone; it’ll never be the same again. This time of focusing solely on the Lord and what he has for me day to day is going to change. Since I’m in it now, I feel like it has lasted a lifetime. I hardly remember what life was like in America. But I’m going to be thrown back into it because these seasons come and go.
