“He has made everything appropriate in its time” Ecclesiastes 3:11. This verse from the old testament has given me my perspective of life, especially through my educational journey. There are so many students out there with incredible potential to be great. Students with extraordinary ability. Some students have been given those abilities but torn down by the noise and the villainies of the outside world we live in. Those students are beaten, broken down and pulled away from their gift of intelligence. This struggling student was me, being dragged by the foot of all other distractions, looking for any hand to grab on to in pursuit of hope. Searching for an unthinkable amount of hours until I looked up and found one. One that had been by my side for so long without knowing. That hand was Jesus, a hand that was stronger than any force that could have grabbed on to me, attempting to drag me down. I was a sophomore, in a bad head space when my friend asked if I’d want to go to church with her. Growing up I never had a strong relationship with God, stepping into church was like entering a whole new world for me. After going to church that day I felt like there was a new community out there that I still had more to learn from. I began to attend church more, and picked up my bible for the first time. That is when my faith really began to grow. After only a few weeks my mental health began to improve. I started to feel like there was a way out, feel like I could perform my everyday tasks without dragging a burden that I had once carried on my shoulders and under my eyes. My relationship with Jesus improved so many aspects of my life and began to revive my academics. While reading Ecclesiastes and the story of King Solomon I found myself relating to his journey, questioning what is the point? In search of what the point was I found Jesus, specifically in Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything appropriate in its time”. Reading these words made me realize that even though I’m not finding myself where I want to be now, I am always on a journey to find a greater good. This thought process of there is always a plan for me made me feel wanted, like I was here for a reason. Ecclesiastes 3:11 acted as a way of motivation to get my act together on the academic side of my life. It gave me appreciation and a greater acceptance for abilities that have been graciously gifted to me from God. After having such a turning point in my life I now use the many gifts God has given me everyday. The gift of knowing that there is always a plan for me. The gift of eternal love and forgiveness. The personal gift of the ability to learn and grow my mind beyond my current knowledge. These gifts and my relationship with Jesus have given me a reason to push myself to new lengths in my educational journey, believing in myself that I can be exceptional because I have Jesus behind me.

Stereotypes preach men make the money. The father holds the house down. Stereotypically… While my parents were still together my mom was always the bread winner of the two, causing the main issue leading to an eventual end. After years of bickering, separate beds and tearing each other down to their kids in separate rooms, my parents called it. From there on out, I lived with my mom only. As a child you are told you can be “anything you want if you set your mind to it!”, but as young girls grow up that dream begins to fade. Girls are taught to stand behind their partner, to let the husband make the money or it will cause issues for your relationship, or they are just incapable entirely. Growing up with just my mom taught me what they tell you in kindergarten is true. As a little girl walking into my moms office and seeing shelves lined with trophies and certificates told me the whole story without the words. I never doubted that no matter the circumstance I am in there's always a way to work towards what you want to accomplish. Just like my mom did when she was told she lowered her work ethic because it was a threat to her relationship. I also learned, there are always enough hours in the day to reach a goal. I watched as my mom would go to work, come home and take me to volleyball, run to watch my sister's wrestling match, then come back and pick me up, and at the end of the day hop back on her computer and continue working. Watching from my mom that there is always time, taught me to follow the rule in life that there is always time if you make it, will help me achieve my goal of becoming a lawyer. All throughout high school playing three varsity sports, maintaining a 4.3 GPA, participating in multiple different clubs, and still making time for over 50 hours of community service. Always making time for the people around me is something I learned from being raised by my mom. With my dream career being an immigration lawyer, I want to fight for those who don’t have the resources to fight for themselves, no matter how long it takes for them to achieve their rights and goals. Inspired and enraged by recent events in the United States today, it disappoints me so deeply that there are so many who are judged so harshly by the color of their skin that they are not given a chance to better their lives not due to lack of effort. After I get my degree and achieve my dreams of becoming a lawyer. I will be able to help those in their times of need. Learning from my mom that stereotypes do not define your goal of success. Then growing up and watching my single mother redefine the word busy, and make time for everyone and everything around her. Following in her footsteps, learning to fight and make time for the people around you is a top priority. Taking those lessons to heart and applying them to my current and future life. When I get my degree and reach my goal of becoming a lawyer I will make it a top priority to make the time for the people who need extra fighting for. My ultimate goal is to help others just like my mom fought to help me.