Family Ties

I’m going to tell you a story about the first time I went to college. I was terrified. Small town girl whose family did everything together suddenly was thrown into this big campus where she didn’t know anyone. I was also prone to anxiety & homesickness, so add that to mix & it was a total nightmare scenario for me. In my head I wanted to be there, but my heart was saying “Absolutely not, no way, not in this lifetime, sister!” When my parents helped me unload my things & were getting ready to leave campus, I hugged them goodbye, looked at them & said: “You’re not really going to leave me here, are you?” It broke their hearts, but they knew it was a good experience for me.

The following days were NOT my best. I called home a million times begging my mom & dad to come pick me up. I barely ate. I refused to unpack my suitcases, convinced that my parents would come bring me home. I sat on the curb outside my dorm & cried so my roommate wouldn’t hear me. I had no family anywhere near my college. I felt super alone & majorly homesick. I think I prayed more in those days following my arrival to campus than I had all throughout my high school career. haha But prayer was one of the only things that would soothe my worries & anxiety. I spoke to God & told Him everything. I prayed for peace of mind, comfort, confidence, rest, & certainty. And after I prayed, I always felt a little bit better. Talking to the Big Guy was like having a family member nearby.

Since I grew up being a Christian, God has been present my whole life. I grew up knowing Him & where to find Him. Like a member of my family, He’s been there through every obstacle & triumph I’ve encountered. Like a father, He has provided for me every step of the way. In those first days of college, I prayed for my family to show up. And as always, He provided for me, but I didn’t realize it at the time. A matter of days later, someone walked into my life that would grow to become my family: my husband Ian. Just like a parent would, the Lord filled my need for family & comfort & made sure I had someone there that I could trust. He continually meets us wherever we are because it’s exactly where we are supposed to be. :)

The Lord has filled void after void in my life & anchored me when I felt like floating away. He even introduced me to my future family when I needed it most. Those family ties can never be broken!

<3 Elaine

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