When the Unexpected Helped Lead Me to the Cross

Have you ever stopped to evaluate what events and/or decisions brought you to this place in your life?  I recently found myself reflecting on the current state of my life – mainly my priorities and my faith and what brought me to where I am, today.  While it's safe to say that there are many things that shape us and our decisions, often there is one choice or one event that can truly be life-changing.  And for me, that decision many years ago brought the most unexpected and yet beautiful outcome. 

As a high school senior, I was determined to conquer the world – leave behind my small Texas roots, move far away, have a successful career and never marry or have children.  I definitely was NOT going to Texas Tech as the rest of my family had!  Yet, no matter how I tried to go elsewhere, it was the first time I recall "my gut instinct" being so strong and ultimately pointing me to go to Tech.  Much later I realized that it was one of my first encounters with the Holy Spirit.  So, as I headed to Lubbock that August, I had no idea that my world would soon be turned upside-down; or maybe I should say right-side up! 

I went through sorority rush the week before classes started my freshman year and was instantly thrust into a group of young women unlike any I had ever met.  Let's just say my sorority experience wasn't like that in the movies!  Sure there were parties and social events but there was so much more.  I was surrounded by young women who understood me, encouraged me and supported me.  They pushed me to be the best version of myself and encouraged me to not stop there.  There was support in my major, with classes and professors and support to excel scholastically.  They pushed me to look beyond my selfish ways and serve others.  They raised me up to realize the God-given gifts of leadership that I possessed – encouraged me and believed in me to handle situations I never would have imagined. They trusted me to lead and hence, shaped skills I didn't realize were within me.  And while many others were experimenting with a new found freedom of being in college – freedom from parents and rules, they directed me to experience a new found freedom of my own – a freedom in Jesus Christ.  These same young women had a love and a fire for serving God and mentored me along the path of developing an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior.   

I grew up in the church and I had various leadership positions in high school.  But the decision to go to Texas Tech and join Kappa my freshman year took these two aspects of my life to a completely different place and turned my world right-side-up!  Before encountering these amazing women, I went to church because that is what I was suppose to do.  But once my life was touched by them, I fervently sought to draw close to God, have a personal relationship and become a disciple of Christ.  Before college, I had no idea how to effectively lead and guide others, how to allow people to bring their gifts to the table and how to encourage and empower others. But through careful guidance, training and support, Kappa showed me a better way.  These formative years were so positively shaped and impacted by women who had similar goals and beautiful hearts.  And as a result, I was changed for the better! 

This past week my pledge class gathered for the first time in 20 years.  While not all of us were able to be present, it truly was a special time.  A time of laughter and reminiscing and a time of sharing of where life has taken us since we last gathered.  On the long drive home Saturday afternoon, I couldn't help but think how fitting it was to have this first reunion accidentally fall during holy week.  For the first time in forever, I wasn't with my family on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Yet, what a beautiful thing to be reminded during holy week of how God used some mighty women in my life to bring me to resurrection life!  They molded and shaped me as a leader – which ultimately brought me to begin my own business this past fall; they lead me in my faith journey and ultimately to the cross – having the most profound impact on my life.   

So as we enter into the Easter season, may you know that He is Risen and Alive and may you too experience resurrection life!  One decision many years ago brought the most unexpected and beautiful outcome – the beginning of a new creation in me!