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Verse:“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV
Have you ever had a dream that you desperately wanted to be fulfilled? Or asked God for something, but the answer was no? After completing the graduate certificate of stomal therapy nursing, I started thinking of studying again.
I prayed as I applied for this course.
I was accepted into the Master of Clinical Leadership program and began studying with gusto. I regularly spoke to God and told Him that my aim was to achieve a grade point average (GPA) of six (seven being the highest) and that I was looking forward to traveling down to New South Wales to attend my graduation ceremony with my parents. As I completed all subjects and came to the end of the master’s program, I did achieve a GPA of six (thank God!) but was disappointed when I received notification of the graduation ceremony —it fell on a Saturday. I started praying that God would change the date. My close friends joined me in prayer for this change because I didn’t want to dishonor God by attending my graduation ceremony on the Sabbath.
Sadly, the day did not change.
You can imagine how disappointed I was because God chose not to intervene in this situation, even though He can do the impossible.
As an associate lecturer for the faculty of medicine at one of the leading universities in Brisbane in 2020, I was invited by this university to be part of the graduation procession for the 2021 medical student graduation ceremony.
As I drove to the university on that graduation day, got ready in my cap and gown, and joined the academic process, I was still shocked by the turn of events. The procession got a standing ovation round of applause, and while I reveled in the pomp and ceremony, I felt out of place. I mean, it is rare for a registered nurse to be part of a ceremony for the school of medicine, let alone teach medical students, but there I was —a place I never expected to be— but where God had graciously placed me.
I burst into tears on my way home and thanked God for allowing me this opportunity —so totally humbled by the whole experience.
God answered my prayer in His time, and it exceeded even my expectations. When we are faithful to God, He is faithful to us and will give us blessings that overflow.
Jenny Rivera