"How God Makes Everything Better" Meditation by Daniqua Boulware

It took me a while to finally decide I wanted to go on the Alternative Spring break trip to Slidell, Louisiana. Actually, it was kind of like it was out of my control and I was somehow meant to go on the trip. Last semester, I started off getting updates from another friend interested in the trip because I couldn’t make the meetings, but little by little I began to make slightly bigger commitments to the group starting by participating in the candy and screw sale fundraiser. Eventually I paid my $100 fee and this semester I began attending meetings. During these meetings the things I held onto in my mind, that were, admittedly, potential excuses and justifications as to why I didn’t have to stick with my plans to go to New Orleans began to die away. I had a little encouragement and motivation to stay committed after the group was informed of a participant whose plane ticket was already booked, non-refundable, decided to drop out. It was then that I realized not going on this trip because of my own doubts and fears would affect more than just me. Not wanting to be selfish I continued to participate and doubts continued to persist but I went on apprehensive and all. I finally decided to stop lying to myself and accepted the truth; that this trip was something that I really had to do. Fortunately, I stand here today saying I am glad I did. The experiences I had, memories I earned, and many lessons I learned made me better today. On this trip I was shown many things I often prayed to see. Things about me, things about the world, and things about God that I knew were true, but doubted because of the way life had previously presented itself to me. Through working for the hurricane Katrina victims and bonding with the others on the trip I was able to see the strength in me and the love God has for each of us. I realized that although in some seasons of our lives hurricanes may come, strong winds may blow and heavy rains may fall, you are never defeated unless you give up, unless you turn and run away. Just as God is there to protect us during the storm he will be there to rebuild what gets damaged and turn our devastating situations into blessings. God will take what we once had and make it better. I was blessed to witness a woman have a brand new home dedicated to her and God years after she lost nearly everything she owned. I witnessed a man talk about dreams hurricane Katrina had put on hold and speak about plans that had once been turned down, now turned into possibilities. I watched him present our group that worked on his hours with a thoughtful gift and caring message of gratitude because we all did what God asked us to do. On this trip I observed God showing me that if we do what we are called to do, he will certainly do for us what he promised to do. God will make us feel like the blessings we are. This trip was full of laughter, pain, frustration, dedication, and contemplation all the same. It was better than one of the best experiences I can imagine, and I definitely look forward to doing it again!