I start my senior year this fall. the "what after" question starts to pound in your brain a little, lol. so I've been praying about it (and kind of wishing that God did just say "yes" or "no") BC THAT WOULD BE LOADS EASIER THANK YOU
instead, I'm over here wondering: how do I know if God wants me to do this? -- and not just for these questions, but for a lot of other things I'm considering/thinking about lately.
how do you know if God is calling you to something? Is it because..things line up right? because it seems like the only option? because it's pointing to that? or should you not bc that's too obvious?????????????? how much should you love something for a job? or is it just a job???
I've always known I haven't wanted to go into college unless I was going for something I loved to do. I did research a lot about colleges and different degrees, but I kept coming to the same answer: no go.
now, this may change, but it just doesn't feel.....right for me. I've always felt this way about college: why spend a ton of money on something I might not like doing, and it's time, and then there is debt and stress and more school?? I guess I'm just a practical person. I like to work. And save. that's it. Is there anything wrong with that? idk. but like I said, it just doesn't feel right for me.
so right now, I'm looking at internships. Why? because I'm a hands on learner and I can gain experience in something that interests me (where there is lots to learn + no college) in a nearby location I like. and guys, things are lining up if I decide to go for it.
but the question I'm asking myself now is: is it obvious, or is that God?
so this is where I'm at. not a usual post for me, really, a little more raw then usual but hey xD i'm praying about lots, and would really appreciate your prayers/thoughts as well! thx guys xx
I'll definitely be praying! I'm feeling similarly--I know I'm going to college, but the question becomes WHICH college? :P
ReplyDelete(And yes, by the way, you should absolutely run for mayor. Get yourself a record for youngest mayor ever. XD)
thank you so much, Faith! <33 well that basically leaves us in the same position. I decided not to go to college, but now the choice of "OKAY WHAT JOB TO GET IN NOW" I'm sure you have it handled (although it is stressful) but what my mom always does is write down the options, and think of ALL the pros and cons you can think about each. you wouldn't think it'd help, but it does! <3
DeleteDUDE I KNOW. although, I really can't break that record bc apparently some 3 yr old kid became mayor in Missouri, so I'm kind of too old to break that record now #oops XD
I relate 10000%. This post is such an infusion of relatable things and inspo...also those gifs are on point xD.
ReplyDelete*lets deep breath out* Just pray that God leads my future instead of me stealing the reigns (<< such an easy thing to do)
Thx for this post Sarah xx And Happy St. Patricks day to you too...*limps away from the pinch* :)
aww, so glad! (and dude I found SO MANY GIFS that related to this post tho. and then I had to choose those, like I said, ALWAYS DECISIONS LOL)
Deleteaw yus. I'll totally pray for you for that. it's soo true. I'm such a person who likes to get things right and know what's going on, so its a struggle to wait and NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ONNN. but ah, learning experiences XD
so glad you liked it, Anna <33 AW DUDE. YOU WEREN'T WEARING GREEN?? c'monnn. I did (I would have been seriously pinched anyways by my fam had I not lol xD)
Dear dear Sarah, I can wholeheartedly relate to your thoughts! I too have felt overwhelmed by the many options I had when I was in high school. Like you, I really didn't want to go to college. I hated the thought of spending more money and doing more schoolwork for the first few years of adulthood. I was so confused because I had so many different things I enjoyed doing. I loved to create but I felt like I needed a deeper profession to satisfy me. I prayed so hard that God would guide me, that he would give me a sign and Sarah, he did! Someone had offered me a job at their preschool and since then I have discovered my passion for Early Childhood Education and am going to college for it. The moral of my rambling is that God will direct you even though I know it feels like their is a big rush on what your plans are after high school. Don't let anyone rush you, girl! I know that whatever you do, you will accomplish such amazing things. <3
ReplyDeleteEve!! it's been so long, dear! <33 ohh, that's so refreshing to hear. I only known a couple of people so far who really aren't interested in college, so I love to hear how God opened up things for you! (like He does, but it's hard not to worry beforehand xP). "I loved to create but I felt like I needed a deeper profession to satisfy me" << SO SAME, EVE. I've never felt like I have had one particular gift (I like to dabble and do lots, but not one PARTICULAR thing), I just know that I like to learn and I'm willing to learn. so if I can learn something and not have to go to college and it's something I can continue doing as a career?? Things are opening for an opportunity, so is that a "sign," or a test? idk, I feel bad for feeling this way because I feel like it's me not believing enough? but I don't want to just jump right away either. so that's why I'm praying, and thinking lots haha.
Deleteand see, I totally agree with that! You got into working with children, discovered you loved it AND THEN you are going to college. You won't have to worry about not using your degree, because it's something you love. I don't want to go to college just to go, which is why that's sort of ruled out for me right now.
thanks for this, girl! this has meant loads to hear and has been super helpful <33
You will be in my prayers. <3 I graduated high school almost a year ago and I'm not going to college. Like you, I like to work and save. Writing is important to me. It's become my career and I know it will always be a part of me. I will pray that you find direction on where you need to go. God will come through in His timing. <3 <3
ReplyDelete~Ivie| Ivie Writes
thank you, Ivie! <33 I'm so glad to hear that writing will become your career! it's good to know we have hope for some good books out there in the future! XD I thought about it, and decided I want to keep writing as a hobby, but as a hobby. I couldn't do it for money, idk why, but it would probably just stress me out to have deadlines and stuff?? but hey, that works for some people so I'm happy its working for you! and thank you so much! you guys are all so encouraging -- it means so much <33
DeleteSARAHHHHH. thx so much bc I really needed this post. My world is just spinning right now because there are soooo many choices and decisions I need to make...like I can't decide if I should save up for a writing conference this summer or an editor for my book in the fall, or if the degree I'm thinking of going for in college isn't going to work out...or if I should ease off on the writing and look at other stuff. MY BRAIN IS EXPLODING.
ReplyDeleteBUT YES I LOVE THIS POST SO MUCH. It's really hard not knowing the answers right away, but I think God will reveal them to us when it's time + we're ready. We just have to be patient which is so hard.
AUUDDREEYY. WE KEEP DOING THIS, RIGHT?? it's bc we are INFJ's WE HAVE OUR PACT XD oh yes, I knowww. SO MANY OPTIONS. and it's hard when all the options seem like good ones. you know tho, God will open the doors for what's going to happen. and He won't give you anything you can't handle with Him. Maybe you just need to take a step back and look at everything. See if there is an opening for something, see if it's something you feel led to, see if its "possible", and see if its something you'd want to do for the rest of your life. the decisions never go away, but God can help us take the stress out of the decisions *needs to take my own advice* LOL
DeleteAW SO GLAD TO HEAR IT, GIRL. ohhh so true. I'm a pretty patient person, except for major things LIKE I NEED TO KNOW WHATS GOING OONNNNN. "but I think God will reveal them to us when it's time + we're ready" ouch, and true, something I need to remember more. thx, girl! <33
girl the struggle is real. There's a lot of pressure to ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING with your life, you know? lol but in all seriousness, you've just gotta keep praying and trust that the Lord will guide you where He wants you! A lot easier said than done I know... but hey I'll be praying for you girl <3
ReplyDeleteUGH YES. and I feel like sometimes college is the automatic solution? but it just doesn't seem that way for me, since I have no idea what I'd want to go for. and I'm not going to college...just to go, you know?
Deletethanks for the advice, Ash, I know it's true -- it's just the legit waiting that's hard sometimes, lol. thx, girl! <3
This post really resonates with me and thanks for writing it. I find it really fascinating and happy to see how all my friends work their way through these decisions and challenges. I'm not alone in this. You're not alone in this. It's hard but it's an adventure :D I suppose you can pray for me like you would pray for yourself. Like ... that I would know that what I do IS FROM GOD not from me. That I wouldn't waste any of the time or talent given to me.
ReplyDelete<3 lisa
aww so glad! IT'S TRUE. that's a great pro of the blogging world, it shows how you really aren't alone in your struggles because I feel like people can easier show emotion through words and blogging (but that could be just me XD). aw so true. we shouldn't dread the decisions of growing up..it's a gift -- an adventure, as you said! thank you for reminding me of that, I don't want to forget it <33
Deletetotally, girl!! and I really relate to that. it's hard to tell the difference, but I'm sure if we really focus, God will show us what to do. And we'll be able to see and know easier at least BC we are waiting and asking God "HEY WHAT DO I DO HERE" and like I said, we don't always get a yes or no, but He shows us in other ways.. it's just learning to know Him more, so we can know which way to go. a journey, for sure. but I'll be praying for you, Lisa! <33
Hey! (New follower here. Thought I should say hi. :D I'm Gabby and I've lurked on and off your blog for the past year or so and decided it definitely WAS worth my time to read all your thoughts and look at your beautiful pictures. :D (I follow Julia's blog, too.) I'm 17, ALSO on my last year of school, home schooled, ENFJ, Aussie, big time dreamer, dabbler in everything, and a child of God. Hello! :))
ReplyDeleteThis was a good post! I can relate... and funny thing, I'm actually a lot like you - college (we call it university - uni) isn't really something that I've ever (or even now) think would suit me. It's so much money and time, I'd have to be POSITIVE I'd want it. And right now, that's not me. So I've done a couple Business courses online (currently doing one now) and that's about as far as my uni will go I hope. :P It's enough studying for me, haha - I'm ready to get out there and get my hands dirty DOING STUFF, not keeping my head in a textbook all day. And I think that's a legitimate question everyone deals with - knowing if this is what God wants you to do or not. Actually, my Sunday school teachers last year (who also happened to be my elder brother and cousin-in-law, haha) did several classes on this. I liked what they had to say. I think it's a mixture of a lot of different things. Prayer is definitely one of the biggest things, and I would also place a lot of my judgement on how well things fall into place. (But not all of it... but I would definitely be aware of it. At the same time, though, sometimes all the doors to our dream/hope are being closed, but that doesn't mean we have to lose hope, or take it as a 'no'. There is always hope. In my opinion, the dream shouldn't be our focus - God should be. If we give it over to Him, then we can be sure of two things: One, if it IS something that God wants us to do, HE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. Even if it takes time and some miracles have to happen, it will happen. Two, if it is NOT part of His plan for us, then He will merely replace it with something that is far better than what we originally wanted. It's a win-win situation. :D)
Also, I think it's a good idea to ask around... ask your parents, your siblings, your friends, older people you respect, if they think it's a good idea. Everyone's insight is helpful, only don't let it dictate everything. I've spent far too much of my life being a people-pleaser and taking everyone's opinions the wrong way.
But anyways, I ramble. :P I hope God will show you what it is He has for you! I'll pray for you. :) (And the same for me, I guess! I would love direction from the Lord as to whether or not I should pursue a dream of mine... namely musical theatre. :D)
Also *cough* OUCH. Don't pinch too hard. I forgot it was St. Patrick's Day. :P
Gabby!! so nice to meet you! <33 and aww, well thank you for commenting, it means loads. haha you sound super similar to me, just extroverted, really XD
Deletesaamme. I WOULD go to college, if I was positive in what I wanted to go in for. And rn, I'm not, so, it doesn't seem like a smart thing for me to do right now. AGREED. I am such a hands on worker and learner, it just makes sense to me to DO the thing, not just read and learn about it. a mix of both is good, really. Right. that's so true; we should make plans, but take note that God has the finished draft of those plans. and thank you so much for that!! its true, if God wants me to do something, He'll work it out. agghh, thank you so much for this! you really helped put a new light on it for me. God will work this out for me if it's His plan, and if not, He's got greater things in store for me. thank you so much, Gabby! <3
thanks so much for the prayers, and I'll totally be praying for you. it's hard to make decisions wondering if God has His hand in there, or if He's got His hand guiding you somewhere else. just take some of your own advice and let's try to put it into use, haha. thx, girl <33
WHAAATTT. I don't think I'd ever be able to forget it's St. Patricks day, or as my younger sis calls it "the green day!" XD
Yes. It is soooo hard to make such long lasting decisions. I know myself that I will go to college, but alas, there are so many options! And what to major in? Which of my three loves, literature, history, and theater, do I love most and want to dedicate my life to?
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll be praying that you see the hand of God in all of your decisions. <3
xx
Mira
p.s. I tagged you for the Liebster award on my blog if you feel up to it. XD
https://steppinginsunshine.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-leibster-award-tag.html#more
sooo true. bc it feels life changing (which it can be) and permanent (which, it really isn't..) ohh so true! haha, you have to many options of what you'd love and I'm not super particular in what I do. downfalls and ups to each, tho. don't worry, as people have been telling me, God will put things into place and it'll happen..He may close doors, but others will always be opened <3
Deleteand thx for the prayers, (and the tag!) girl! <33
I was a teeny bit disappointed there was no "easy answer" at the end of the post... ;P But seriously, I'm twenty and I'm only just starting to get over the stress of "heyyy, it's time to make the [expensive] decisions that will rule your future! have fun with those!" And every so often I still get moments where I freak out because is a 9-5 job working for the sake of working? should I aim for something that directly helps people? can I do something with my life that I will enjoy and still have that count as adulting??
ReplyDelete*coughs*
Good for you for choosing what you want to do with your life, Sarah! I hope you grow and have fun and bless people and learn new things. :)
(oh, and run for mayor. ;)
Well..I suppose that's bc there is no "cut-out" answer for every person in the world. its a different answer for every person that God brings us to. and, really, right now I don't even have an "easy answer" for myself, haha.
DeleteOH SO TRUE. thats kind of my thoughts also. like if I'm not particular about what I do, working something interesting and something I can work up in is fine, right? I'm just not a particular person, really, so that makes it easy, and hard. but I totally relate, so don't feel alone in that!
aw, well thank you for saying so, Jem - that means a lot! it's hard sometimes, but I know God's got plans for me (whatever they may be, haha)
(yuuuss. I really should - maybe that's the easy answer to life decisions?? RUN FOR MAYOR, EVERYONE XD)
Wow YES. I graduated last year and I have struggled with alll those things. I too felt like college was a no go. I received so much criticism for my decision from others and I questioned it SO many times. But YES I am looking at some summer internship things and the like. Also working, because saving money. Faith and trusting in God is a big lesson in these years, isn't it?
ReplyDeletePraying for you, girly!! <3
//megan
www.rootsinhim.com
UGH YES I know what you mean..there are lots of people that have questioned me for what I'm saying and it DOES make me doubt..but we don't have to do what others day. we can listen to their advise, but in the end, its God we have to follow. maybe part of our plan for Him isn't college, and maybe it is. SAME. save that money yup yup XD its true..faith and trust is a huge thing. its hard to let go of not knowing whats happening. I suppose thats growing up, too.
DeleteI can relate so much to this!!!
ReplyDelete<33
DeleteGIRL. I am literally in the exact same place as you. Except maybe a little more confused as to what to do after school :P I feel like I will go to college because I know what I want to major in, but I have literally 10000 questions about it all.
ReplyDeleteTrusting the process and trusting God <3
haha its tough, I know. questions are ok, just keep going and keep trusting like you said. God has His plan, and if we take a wrong turn, He'll get us back on it if we are willing and following Him <3
DeleteAh so true! I'm kinda the opposite of you--I've always know I wanted to go to college to study and eventually get a job to help people with. But like you, is it God who's doing this, or me and Society™️?
ReplyDeletemhm. they are similar in a way, yes. its tough to wonder if its God and His Plan, or the plan we've come up with? but you know what, no matter what, He's got our plan. and it'll work out. we just gotta trust, and keep going and following <3
DeleteFor the longest time I was adamant against college... still am. For me it was a loathing of more school and eagerness to get on with life. I want to find a farming internship and start a homestead. I honestly didn't see anything worthwhile in all the rigamarole of college to even bother with. I still believe much of this.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I've had to confront a lot of this thinking. My brother, who is established with a job and family, had a long conversation with me, and this time I didn't blow it off as just more pressure to go. He had taken a gap year, which didn't go so hot for him, and then took college in three years. He made important connections, met his wife, and learned everything that made him what he is today. I've had to think a lot. True, college isn't going to tell me how to farm, but there are possibilities that will greatly benefit me - not just things to study, but the mere experience. By know I'm nearly sure I must go, to capture and refine all my talent as a person, but the question for me is whether or not I will resign myself to it. Even now I, like you, simply don't want to go.
I won't tell you what I think you should do, but I've told you all this because these are thoughts that have greatly influenced me and might be helpful for you. I just have one more thought for you that has been a great comfort to me. Remember Abraham, in the Old Testament? I feel exactly like him. He had absolutely no clue where God was taking him, but had no choice but to hang on and blindly follow. And it just so turned out that he became the founder of a nation.
It was interesting and touching to hear your thoughts on this topic. I hope you come to the best conclusion for you and I wish you Godspeed in all you do.
Hey Adelle! ahh truth I feel that way as well. but I think its also the fact that I don't know WHAT I would go for? and you know what, if you end up going to college, its not like a farming internship wouldn't hurt either! there are many options. i'm glad your brother has been able to help you tho!! I've been getting lots of conflicting messages myself. "go to college if you can" "everyone says 'college, college, college' but there are other ways!" and so forth, lol. so its tough, but I feel like the foggyness is clearing up a bit..right now, I don't think college is for me. maybe I'll change my mind, idk. I guess I'll find out. XD
Deleteand thank you! its true..sometimes blindly following is ok, bc its STILL following. so thank you for that reminder. aw thank you! I hope my post was of some help to you, and thank you for your help! <3