Coffee With College Me

A few weeks ago I did a carousel on Instagram sharing what I would tell freshman college Erika if we were having coffee. However, I felt like it deserved a more in-depth moment and with it being the start of September I thought this was the perfect moment. I will be honest though, I know people tried to give me the advice I would give myself when I WAS a college freshman and I didn't take most of it to heart until after I lived it.

They say some people have to learn the hard way and perhaps I am one of those people. However, I think sometimes things don't stick till you go through it. Is it important to seek wise counsel? Yes! I try hard to surround myself with people in varying walks of life so I can do just that when situations arise. Yet, I also believe that God gives us what we need when we need it as James 1:5 promises.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~ James 1:5

But without further ado, here is the "letter" if you will to my college freshman self.

Welcome to some of the sweetest and hardest years of your life.

There is a freedom in no one knowing who you are, but it will awaken several questions about who you want to be and what your values are and what are you are willing to compromise. You are going to get it wrong. You are going to learn how the grace and mercy you were taught your whole life is for YOU not just the people around you. Be okay if the small group that becomes your people aren't the first few you try or the ones "your supposed to be in." (maybe someday I will share some of my crazy small group stories) Your classes change every quarter your capacity for serving might too. Just because they are asking for volunteers doesn't mean that it is supposed to be you. Pray about it. See if it is actually where God is calling you to serve. That first guy you meet at orientation isn't your husband, along with you the guy in your humanities class, your college group,  your first crush, or even your first boyfriend. That's okay... He's coming take a breath. I know the waiting is hard. I promise he's coming. I know you don't believe me, but he's absolutely worth it. This season holds so much more for you don't spend so much time pinning and giving into stupid dating games. Don't give up pursuing a quiet time,believe it or not someday it will be what you look forward too the most about your morning. I know it feels tideous now. Be okay expressing worship in new ways, I know your church does it differently than the one you grew up with. God is teaching you and revealing part of Himself to you here. Don't let being scared be the reason you say "no." You don't need a date to go to that event, find that adventure or have fun on the weekends. There's purpose in the roadblocks, but it's okay to cry in your coffee at the loss. Be vulnerable with your close trusted friends and be willing to invest in the relationships. It's really cool when their the ones standing next to you when you say "I do" and texting "I love watching you be a mom you are doing such a good Job." Finally, I know you are just going to have to learn this all for yourself through clunky messes, late night chats over Taco Bell and time. But this time in your life is so cool. It really is I promise. Everything God is teaching you here is preparing you for the next chapter of your life and the next chapter is so unbelieveably sweet. The craziest adventure ever, but oh so sweet and it all happens in the span of what feels like five minutes and you will actually forget for a moment that you were once thinking your husband would never find you.

Sincerly,

Erika who is living College Erika's answered prayers