After about five weeks at the new school, I began to feel really lonely. I’d never been bothered with loneliness before, although I’d often been lonely. I had other activities that I enjoyed. But a real sense of aloneness began to take hold. The church I was attending was not the one I grew up a part of. I was meeting new people, however, living at home and driving back and forth to school was not the same as living on campus. Yet my school was a commuter school than a university. thus the nickname “cougar high” as there were only two dorms on campus at the time.

After a week or so of feeling this way, I asked the Lord where He was and why I didn’t feel His presence as I had at NT. The next day, I received three letters from some of my friends still in Denton. Each was concerned because each had felt I wasn’t doing well adjusting to the move. Each was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write to me and I was so glad they obeyed. I was absolutely floored. I’d expected to hear from God, perhaps with a verse of Scripture during my reading, or in a sermon or song, or from making a new friend, but to reach out to let me know He was still there through far away friends was amazing. Those letters really picked me up and taught me I was never out of His care. Nor the care of friends who loved me. I really learned that God spans space and time in His concern for us. I’ve had these same experiences at other times in my life. Each one is a treasure of His love and care.

By spring break, I had a group of friends who I grew to love and enjoy. They welcomed me into their group as one with them. We visited daily in the small offices of the BSU in the student center. During spring break we even had sleepovers and games together. We began attending a Saturday evening Bible study on the second coming of Christ together which I had never studied. My life was full of faith filled friends who strengthened me through the remainder of my time there.

There were still times I doubted the presence of my Heavenly Father, but He always brought me through. back to surer and firmer faith.

Jesus says in Hebrews 13:5. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you.'”