Listen.

"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" -Matthew 6:34

It's all over.

Carved between the Smoky Mountains, up in a high, 4-story cabin, my wonderful, blessed summer came to a close.

This summer was BUSY. But I loved it.

From high school graduations and beach and mountain vacations to a jobs and internships, I had an incredible summer.

It's weird to look back at something, with it seeming so far away, and see how much God really did bless you.

This summer I had an AMAZING internship with The North Florida Herald, that I will miss very much. I was on staff at the Alligator. I have accomplished TONS with the piano. I have had awesome opportunities at work. And I've finally started to do things I have been waiting a long time to do.

God's given me all of that! As much as I worry about things--about what I am going to do, what comes next--God has figured it all out for me.

However, despite all of these opportunities, I didn't learn the most from any of them. This summer I have really gotten closer to God.

I've always struggled with trusting God and with listening to Him--something I think everybody struggles with. I mean, sure, you say a quick prayer, something like:

Dear God,

I am really having a hard time deciding whether to stay on staff at the Alligator this fall or just freelance and focus on classes. Help me decide, Lord. Show me what I should do.

Amen.

It's like that. We say we put our trust in God, but then we really just end up trying to work it out and adjust it in our heads.

I really agonized a lot in the last few weeks about whether to stay on staff at the Alligator in the fall or not. I was completely torn between two different things that can take me in very different directions. I fought so much about this. And I finally had to give my problems to God.

Peace is the sacrifice of trust. That's something God showed me this week and throughout the summer. In order for my life to be the best in can be and glorify God in the fullest, I have to put my faith in Him.

Not only that, but when you listen to what God tells you, He rewards you. He blesses your life.

Those are the two biggest things God has been showing me this summer.

And this past week, while on vacation in Pigeon Forge, I haven't felt such a closeness with God in a very long time. I got the chance to spend time with Him and read His word more than I have all summer. And I can tell an amazing difference in my life.

That's what being SOOOOO busy kept me from. From being closer to God.

So, with all this said, what if this fall semester I did my best to listen to God, to trust Him, to not worry about having everything planned out? What if I just walk with enough light for my next step? What if I let God guide me through the darkness instead of trying to turn the light on myself?

That's what God has been convicting me to do this summer.

I want to know what can happen and how I can glorify Jesus Christ if I do that.
So, I'm going to try to find out.

"Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" -Colossians 3:2-3

Thank you.

"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. " -John 16: 32-33

That's refreshing.

In a world of turmoil, emotions, and fear, that's refreshing.

Everyone has those dark, depressing, scary moments. The ones when you just get in bed at night, close your eyes and say, "God, please."

It echo's whatever is on your heart. Whatever you're struggling with. Whatever you're hurting for. Whatever you're pain.

But God gives us the chance to get in bed at night, close our eyes and say, "God, please," and then feel the effects of his love and peace washing over us.

Because just like it Jesus says in John 16, "I am not alone, for my father is with me." We can worry all we want to, but God has everything exactly like it's supposed to be .

You know, I've been reading a lot this week about sacrificing yourself to God, submitting to His will and making sure He is the center of what you do.

And after reading those words above, and knowing that Jesus gave up his life so we won't have it so bad down here on earth, I want to do everything in my power to be as much like Him as I possibly can. I want to be as close to him as possible.

Because God said, "here Jessica, I know you've messed up--you definitely have your faults--but that's ok, because I love you and no matter what you do, you are NEVER alone. I'm always here."

That's amazing. And just as quickly as I type these words, I'm going to mess up again. And He'll forgive me again. That's something I don't deserve.

But I have it.

SO, THANK YOU, GOD! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Next time you’re feeling alone or upset, think about the fact that Jesus is always there to hold your hand, and say, "Come here. You're going to be just fine. Because I have amazing things for you, so don't you worry. It might be tough now, but it won't last. I promise. I'll never leave you."

That's refreshing.