Since I’ve been back at Mizzou, I’ve been hit with the reality of life and am now realizing how easy we had it at LT (comparatively). Toward the end of LT, I was pumped to get back to normal life and bring the same atmosphere of community, discipleship and love to the campus of Mizzou. I was thinking there was nothing that could stop me.
Well, from then until now, God has kind of brought me back down to Earth and showed me I need to calm down a little bit. Yes, I still strive to bring that kind of energy we had at LT, but things move a little slower in the hectic 9-month school year than they do in the 3-month summer that was committed to community.
The first couple of weeks back were a struggle for me because I wanted to jump right into having deep, meaningful relationships with all the new people I met, but I wasn’t getting that opportunity right away. I prayed about what I was supposed to be doing in terms of the Canvas Group and the new people we were seeing come to all our events.
The thing I heard most loudly from God was this: BE PATIENT! My soul had been set on fire for reaching college kids this summer and I wanted to dive in 100% right away, but the big thing I was glossing over was the need to just meet these new people and get to know them first. LT was easy because we were all there to grow and we could all lay it out on the line from Day 1, but college is a different animal for sure. I have had a hard time learning the differences, but I’m getting there with God’s help.
Because of this frustration, I have felt a little discouraged when it comes to what our canvas group has been doing. It’s honestly really dumb for me to have been feeling like this, but I have felt like we aren’t doing enough (are we ever, though?)! I thought this meant my excitement and passion for college ministry was dwindling a little bit after being on a fake, summer high, but after talking to my brother Cody yesterday, we both admitted we were going through the same struggles. It was comforting to know I wasn’t alone!
That conversation helped me re-focus myself on what is coming up with canvas group and how I can get ready to start using myself to let God impact lives. With the Fall Retreat coming up and core groups to start soon after that, I feel like things are about to pick up and God is still telling me to be patient until that time. I’ll keep doing what he tells me to do because he knows best!
Overall, the school year has honestly been great for the Dobbs Canvas Group. We’ve had 30 people consistently coming to our small group meetings on Thursdays, we have some really awesome and interested freshman who are already dedicated to our group and we just have a great group of people that I love being around! I can’t wait to see where the rest of the semester takes us!
