Lately, I have felt out of place with my team and my environment. I have felt disconnected when being in social events and simply being around people. I have had to take a deep dive into myself and my faith to ensure I do not end up in a negative place that I cannot come out of. In doing so, I have learned yet another valuable lesson that will most likely make another appearance in my young life: understanding my purpose.
I recently came home for a short trip to visit my family, which was much needed. I needed a break from Pensacola and from the constant going of being a collegiate student-athlete. A vacation day in terms of employment. This vacation day helped tremendously, but I almost had regrets on going back to my crazy life. However, my three and a half hour drive allowed me to have a long talk with God about the position I am in and how I almost feel like I am at rock bottom. By talking this through with Him, I was able to bring to light some things that I had already learned, but forgotten. The simple opportunity of being a college student is enough to be thankful for on its own, but also being able to play the sport that I have loved my entire life is something athletes rarely get to do. While being grateful for these opportunities are important, that is not the sole reason I am bringing them up. I have these opportunities for a purpose. God allowed me to come to UWF for not only environmental science, but for softball as well, with intentions behind it. There is a greater purpose for the pain, hard work and stress that He is putting all of us through. And even with all of those seemingly negative things, they serve as continuous opportunities to grow and learn and that is the important part.
Many people say the phrase, “everything happens for a reason,” which is true. But, what they forget to add to that is the fact that everything happens for a reason as it is a part of His plan. Too often, we look at our situations and believe that we have hit rock bottom, that there is nothing else we can do. That we have fulfilled our purpose. But that is far from the truth. The pain we are going through, the stress from work, from family, from school, any other seemingly negative aspect of our life is just a step further into our journey, into taking action for our purpose.
It may not even be clear on what our purpose is at the moment, but it is still there. We are in our position for a reason. We are here for a purpose. We just have to remember that purpose when times get hard, and look for the light at the end of the tunnel. Look to Him for guidance on our way there. We will get through this together.