A Friend Through the Storm

On the 20th of December 2017, I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. It was a long and eventful four years, and when the day of my graduation finally came I felt as if it was a dream. I won’t lie to you, there were moments when I felt like the end was going to come, but I just wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. There were long stretches of time where I would just wake up and go about my day with zero enthusiasm for anything. Now that I am a graduate, from the best university in Africa, I don’t know which feeling is greater. The feeling of gratitude or the feeling that this is just the beginning.

On the afternoon of my last exam, I sat on my couch with the adrenaline from finishing finally wearing off. The feeling of “this is the end” finally rested in my mind, and I sat there trying to count all the things that I was grateful to God for. If I had to go through every year from 2014 to date, I would need another four years to document it all. But in that moment, on my couch, I couldn’t find the words to begin to thank God for getting me through this degree. This carried on for a few weeks, all the way to my graduation day.


There is no way that I would have gotten through this without God’s unfailing faithfulness, love, protection and guidance. I am the person that I am today because even though I am flawed, even though I am an incredibly slow learner (book wise and life wise), God held me throughout it all. He held me through it all with so much tenderness and care that I find it hard to describe what it feels like to be on the receiving end of such intentional love.

Throughout my undergrad, there were times were I was tested in one way or another. Times when my tuition wasn’t paid on time, and I would get an email every month to remind me that they’ll be adding interest onto my debt. Times when people that were around me and were supposed to be supporting me became flaky. Times when it felt like I couldn’t rely on anybody but God. It was through those times that I leaned on God the most. I would find bible verses and attach them to my tuition bill. I would stay up late and study my bible.


It’s crazy how much peace God will give you when it doesn’t even make sense. But that’s the great thing about God. In the middle of the storm He will make you feel so safe and so secure that you could almost laugh at the storm for making you think that it could swallow you. I am yet to find the proper words to thank God for this achievement, but all I can tell you is that if you want anything in your life to prosper, make sure that God is in it. Include Him in everything that you are doing, and not only will He guide you and give you strength throughout, but He will make sure that you make it safely to the other end. He will give you overwhelming and surpassing victory.

I am an Occupational Therapist by profession, but I have many roles that bring meaning to my life. In short, I love people, books and love.

Popular posts from this blog

Last Paper Syndrome

I think that every student has experienced what is known as the last paper syndrome . When you know that you’re about to reach your finish line, you’re about to face the last hurdle but you just don’t have the energy to start studying. Last Paper Syndrome or LPS , as defined by Syahmi Sazali, is a mental distraction for those who are having their last paper but already have the feeling of starting their holiday early and not studying at all. AT ALL . Procrastination reaches exponential levels and everything except actual studying is done. I know people who even start packing their bags to go home instead of studying! That’s how intense last paper syndrome can be. I think that last paper syndrome can be seen in many areas of our lives. Think about it. When you’re cooking an elaborate Sunday lunch and you get down to having to make that last salad. Does that thought of rather skipping it not cross your mind? You probably convince yourself and say “nah, if I add one more salad the pl...
Read more

How Girls Are Raised

Girls aren’t raised to break. Girls aren’t raised to shake or show signs of fear or weakness. Girls aren’t raised to buckle under pressure. Girls aren’t raised to object. They aren’t raised to raise their voices or their concerns. Girls are raised to listen. Girls are raised to continue loving even when being thrown with rocks. Girls are raised to value the opinion of others and make them their truth. Girls are raised to remain strong no matter what. They are raised to forget their opinion when men enter the room. We are taught to be soft and dependant when needed, but told that we have the strength of a rock when life takes a swing at us. Girls are raised to stay indoors and keep the house clean. Girls are raised to be afraid of going out when it is dark. Girls are raised to not learn important life skills like driving, until it is absolutely necessary. Girls are raised to wait until everyone is served, and then they can help themselves. They are ...
Read more