Hands up. Eyes closed.

I remember one of the first times I went on a roller coaster. My head told me to be scarred and worried but somewhere underneath that, there was a sense of adventure and excitement and it was a feeling I hadn't felt in many other situations. The fear was due to the fact that for 60 or so seconds, I was out of control. I had to sit in a seat with a buckle that I hoped would keep me safe, on tracks that I hoped were sturdy, and I had no control over either of things. Not everyone loves roller coasters, there are probably a whole bunch of reasons why, but I think the most common is that for a little bit, you are out of control. You aren't the one driving the car, decided where to turn, how fast to go, when to stop. You put your safety in someone else's hands, and that is a scary thing. But, it's also one of the most rewarding, thrilling things one can subject themselves to. After the roller coaster, many would agree that the joy you feel during it shadows the fear you felt before it.

Letting go of control is one of the most amazing and joyful experiences a person can have. We hold so tightly onto our lives and dreams that when they are pulled away from us, it hurts to let go. Well imagine if we were just lighting holding onto these dreams. I am not saying let go of them, not at all, but grasp them, gently, knowing that any moment God can take it out of our hands. If we are clenching so tightly and won't let go, we will never find out if what he replaces it with is better than the first.

If you had asked me when I was a freshman in high school where I would be after senior year, I would have 100% said attending Auburn University. My families school, my dream. For a while I had this dream in a tight fist. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. But God helped me let go of that, in fact He helped me let go of my dream of going to college with my friends entirely. Just like He does, he replaced that dream with something far far better than I ever could have come up with.

If you had asked me 3 moths ago what I would be doing in the DR, what my role would be, who my friends would be here, what my living situation would be, it wouldn't be anything to close what it actually is now. But in fact, it's much better than I would have pictured it. Coming here was the most out of control I have ever felt in life, and it's also been the best 2 months of my life. If I had stuck to my plan, I wouldn't have the joy and peace and love that I'm experiencing and receiving now.

So stop living life with your hands tight on the wheel, gripping your own plans. Live a little. Let go of it. Let God be in control. Live life with your hands up and your eyes closed. God will take care of you, and you will find joy and life in this like you have never experienced before.