Often, I find myself unable to know what to say to God. So emotionally and mentally drained that I have trouble seeking and understanding His voice and the words I know He is speaking to me.

The simple act of being kind in your patience is an encouragement to everyone you come across; it brings people peace.

I have struggled with seeing the kindness of God before. In so many situations, I have found myself asking God to show me his kindness and coming up empty. I have found myself wondering how certain situations were anything other than cruel. But this past weekend, I had an encounter with God that wrecked these doubts and questions of mine. 

Toccoa, GA is at an interesting intersection between many well-known rivers and the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Some of my personal favorite waterfalls are within a two-hour drive from Toccoa Falls College and are completely worth the trip. 

I want to challenge you to be uncomfortable in your faith. I heard the saying once that “if you’re not uncomfortable in your faith, you’re not growing.” My friends, we should never stop growing in our love and relationship with God.

When I opened my eyes and looked to my right, I saw Jesus. He sat beside me on that swing and had his arm over my shoulders, pulling me into a comforting embrace. I sat there beside him for a long time. His presence there told me a number of things, but the most obvious was this: “I am always here. I never leave you.”

To the girl with a hurting heart, to the boy with disappointment resurfacing, to the ones who hold on to that pain, comparing themselves to others, asking God “why not” and letting fear of rejection take root, this is for you.

I do not know about you, but loneliness has hit home hard for me this semester. It just so happened that it took the loneliest year of my life to truly mean the words: “there’s no place I would rather be,” when I am in the Lord’s presence.

A few weekends ago, a few of us TFC students went down to Orlando, Florida to attend a conference called “The Send.” This conference centered on the calling of every believer to take action in their faith.