Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

I opened the e-mail from the president of our college with anxious emotions. I had been waiting for word from him concerning a plight I had launched concerning getting myself declared an in-state student. I had been living and working in Alabama for nearly four months before I decided to go back to college, but, even so, somehow, somewhere, I had been declared to be an out-of-state resident. This made my tuition double what it should have been.

What was even more ironic was that my home state of Georgia saw me as a resident of Alabama. I had paid taxes in Alabama and was registered to vote in Alabama, but the school still saw me as a resident of the state of Georgia. I had gone through different administrative offices, pleaded, begged, and brought all sorts of paperwork for nearly a year. My last hope was with the president of our school. As I read his e-mail, I realized that, even though his words were nice and comforting, and somewhat apologetic, he felt like he could not help me either.

Fast-forward six months. My employer sat with me in his office and asked me about the financial aid that I received to go to college. He looked at me and said he felt like there was something that should be or could be done. He contacted his boss. I was told to visit with the school's registrar again with my paperwork, and they would now waive my fees, and declare me a resident of the state.

I couldn't believe what he was saying. No disrespect to my employer, but I had tried for nearly a year to do this, and here he was offering me a very simple solution. I contacted the registrar, and he verified that what my employer said was true. Immediately, my eyes were filled with tears of joy and shame.

We do get involved in the processes we go through in life, and we forget Who is in control. Sometimes in prayer, we expect answers right away, but that doesn't always happen. Just because we may not see the answer right away, it doesn't mean that God didn't hear us and won't respond — and He may not respond the way we expect or desire. He knows what is best for us.

The Lord has told us not to worry about the future:

Jeremiah 29:11 – "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you." (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Father above, remind us that You are in control. Remind us that life is not on our time, but Your time! Amen.

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About the author:

Becky Holland <rlhga@icloud.com>
Empire, Georgia, USA
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