last week was mental health week and i helped organize a chapel service talking about suffering and God's faithfulness and presence amidst those difficult circumstances. with the help of some knowledgeable people, i was able to receive submissions from students and their stories/poetry/song lyrics were read at evening chapel by other students. putting this service together was fairly last minute and i didn't know exactly what was going to be read until the sunday or monday before the service (which was wednesday). i certainly do not enjoy doing things last minute, but God was faithful and the pieces read were moving to me - and i know others were touched as well.
i was worried about timing (we were alloted a certain amount of time and i didn't want to go over/under it), and it was perfectly within the time frame.
i was worried about the readers coming and how the readings would flow from one to another and everyone came in perfect timing and the microphone was passed smoothly.
i was concerned about how this service would fit with the overall theme of "mental health week" and didn't want it to seem like it was focusing on mental health concerns, but rather suffering in general -- and i think & hope that students were able to hear these stories/thoughts, be encouraged, and realize that mental health issues are an example of pain, but that there is so much more to discuss in terms of suffering and faith.
there were some other events throughout the week - a showing of "A Beautiful Mind," a speaker in chapel on Monday, Q&A with a counselor and Psych professor, and it seemed like these activities were well-attended and hopefully beneficial :) I was also greatly helped by the chapel office secretary in formating a Q&A pamphlet with the counseling center. all in all, i was encouraged by God's faithfulness and provisions and know that he answered my prayers, specifically with the evening chapel service and listening to my requests for a smooth and glorifying service.
And more blessings...last night we had a meeting with the peer mentors on campus. there were five mentors who could come and we talked in the student ministries lounge over M&M's (my absolute favorite!) and pumpkin bars (new recipe--thanks mom!) about their experiences mentoring. while not everyone has the easiest experience, there were a few who talked about how well things are going and how much they enjoy meeting with their mentee. the matching process is the part of my job (as an intern) that i like the least because it is stressful and hard to know "who would be good with who." but when i hear about really good conversations and fellowship, see mentors & mentees meeting in lane over breakfast or coffee, i get really excited! i know that God was and is in COMPLETE control of the matching process - there is no doubt in my mind. in the midst of matching i feel uncertain, but am now so certain of God's wisdom in facilitating mentoring relationships through us.
why does he use us? i don't understand, but i am excited to be a part of his work and stand back amazed at his gifts of blessing and faithfulness.
"trust in the Lord with all of your heart. do not depend on your own understanding. seek his will in all of you do, and he will show you which path to take" -Proverbs 3:5-6
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