Bring the Rain.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -Helen Keller

My dad used this quote in his sermon yesterday. It made me think of this past semester. It was the hardest semester I have ever had. I worked two jobs and had enough homework, to keep me busy until around 9:00 at night. I had 8:00 classes everyday, so I was up before the sun came up. By 9:00, I was beat. On top of that, I was planning a wedding and trying to maintain a social life. This semester was tough. Many of my nights ended with my crying and my heart racing for no reason. Stress had me. My life had me, I didn't have it.

Through it all, I continued to pursue God and his promises. My spiritual life flourished even though the world around felt to be caving in. I learned so much about myself and about my relationship with my Creator this semester. When my dad read the quote yesterday during church, it hit me... I had had such a terrible semester and I was counting down the days until I could sit and enjoy one TV show, but even though life was hectic- God continued forming and working in my life. I'm a better person because of it.

I don't want to go through another semester like that and I pray that God will help me control my emotions and stress better, but that He would continue to work in my life. I think of Mercy Me's song Bring the Rain.

"Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain"

God is good. I praise Him for this past semester. Even though life was tough, I brought God glory in everyway I knew how. I pray that I will continue to do so everyday of my life until the day I die and I meet my Saviour face to face.