22 years ago I was just a little chubby baby who was born
with jaundice. I was the baby of the family and was the little chubster who
wouldn’t sit in a stroller while at Nanny’s house, I would want her to hold me.
I was the baby that wanted to eat anything and was opening to trying everything
as I grew older. Born and raised in small Milton,Florida. The place that I call
home and will always be. A place where I could drive a few miles down the road
and pass at least 2 people I know on the road. I can’t go anywhere without
knowing someone or someone knowing me because my last name is Drinkard. A small
place that taught me so many things and shaped me into who I am today. I would
learn to grow and love Milton, as if I never wanted to leave or go any place else.
I would know this place like the back of my hand and be able to describe
everything and anything to a stranger. I have seen Walmart and Whataburgers be
built in the area, seen Bass’s come to a close, see LaHa be the favorite place
and then shut down while everyone was having withdrawals and then to reopen.
Grow up playing softball and other sports at Gospel Projects to the high school then to go back to both of those
places that gave me so much and I was able to give back and coach at both of
those places. I was shaped in those 18 years in Milton and am thankful for
everything Milton has taught me. I knew one day I would leave but I always
planned on coming back, but with a change of heart and with God’s plan that is
different now.
Then at 19, I would move away to my next home, Troy,
Alabama. I moved not knowing a soul and had my moments of tears and not knowing
if this was the place I was supposed to be at. I missed Milton and wanted to go
back, but why did I want to go back? Because it was my safety net and the place
that I knew and felt comfortable at. If I would have left Troy, then my life
would not be where I am today. I remember thinking God has brought me to small
Troy for a purpose and a reason. I knew that I was where I was supposed to be
because that was the only college I applied to and wanted to go because both my
parents had gotten degrees from, my dad was born there and was raised for a
little while, I had family members in the area and it was a small town which
gave me memories of Milton. I made friends who would turn into a family and
memories that will last a lifetime. I found opportunities to get involved from
athletics to classes to Campus Outreach. I found myself in Troy, I was on my
own and had moments where I was in tears wondering how or why, but God proved
to be faithful and sovereign in it all. I felt a sense of security and love and
grew to love the place of Troy like it was my home. I will call Troy home now,
it holds a special place in my heart and always will. One day I could be going
back to Troy for whatever God may lead or one day I may not go back. I
discovered a person I never thought I could be. I was a happy person and loved
life and loved the opportunities that God was giving me. Some things may have
caused tears and bad breaks, and heartaches, but I took a risk and don’t have
to wonder what if, I learned lessons from them all. I trusted God and took a
leap of faith when I went to Troy. And
now its time to take another leap of faith.
I am 22 and not 100% sure what I want to do with my life. I
have been praying and looking for what God is calling me to do. After
graduating I thought things would be easy for some reason. But life seem to be
anything but easy. I learned many
students when they graduate may not have a clue what they want to do in the
world, and guess what ITS OKAY, we compare ourselves to others social media
post. We see the post, which is always the positive things people want us to
see and never see struggles or hard times. So we then think their life is perfect
and they got the job they wanted after graduation or are on the right career
path. But we start to compare ourselves and think that we should have this
thing called life and everything figured out. But we must learn to stop
comparing ourselves and start living and figure out who we are and what God has
planned for us. God created this world and knows the number of hairs on our
head, so why do we not feel secure and awesome to know that He also has our
futures planned out for us. The world wants us to fall into the trap and see
that it can be an ugly and scary place. But like 3 years ago when I took a leap
of faith to go to Troy I am taking a leap of faith as I move to Tallahassee.
I will be working with ticket operations in the athletic
department at FSU. I am excited for this adventure God has laid out in front of
me and see where it takes me. Its going to be a new adventure in a new place
and with a new plan in mind. I am not sure where this position will take me,
but I trust that it will be where I need to go. While driving the other night I
looked up out of my sunroof and just looked at the stars. I thought, wow the
same God who put these all in the sky tonight and made it look amazing and
beautiful is also the same God who has my life in order and who is writing my
future. No matter the bad breaks or
tough days I may encounter, I will continue to press on towards the life that
God has blessed me with. So as I go off into another place where I may only
know a handful of people, I am excited and nervous about the adventure but I
know it will be great because 3 years ago a lonely girl was in a place where
she knew no one and now she is ready to face the world and the adventures that
lay ahead!
So trust God on any adventures or leaps on faith He maybe
taking you on and don’t give up for what He has in store for your life. Say
something you maybe scared to say, go do something that you have always wanted
to do, don’t let fear dictate your life. Have Faith and let go and Let God. Take
a chance and be fearless. Go some place new, do something you have never done
before. Meet someone new. The world is at our fingertips and is waiting for us
to take advantage. Be the Change, you Wish to see in the World. Trust God and
turn to Him in ALL things.
Spirit lead me where me trust is without borders,
let me walk upon the waters.
Wherever You would call me.
Took this picture at the beach last week as i listened to the waves crash and watched the sunrise. This is all just a reminder of the beauty that God creates for us daily and we forget about it. He paints the sky every morning and every night for us. So when you see the sunrise or sunset just smile and give thanks to God for all He has done!
