Sarah Brockett

Honestly, if anyone would have asked me two years ago if I would go to Andrews University, I would have simply said no! My faith in God was weakening and I wanted to leave the church more than anything else. Being that I was the only one in my family to pursue post-secondary education, there was a lot of added pressure and stress on my back; screwing up was not an option. I needed something in my life to go right.

I was born in Toronto, Canada, to two feisty Seventh-day Adventist Caribbean parents. I had to wake up at 8:30 every Sabbath morning to get ready for Sabbath School at 9:30. My hair was tied in two high buns and secured by gum ball clips and I resembled Mickey Mouse. I had to wear colorful poufy dresses that would itch the living daylights out of me, topped off with knee socks. In my eyes, I looked like a piñata more than anything else, but of course my parents would say, “You look so cute!”

During Sabbath School and divine service, as a child, I often napped in church because I didn’t care to be there. I was brought up as a Christian by my parents, I did not have a choice. In my senior year of high school, baptism was not a priority; I was not ready. At the time my relationship with God was neither sincere nor strong; I just prayed in order to get what I wanted. I did not create my own personal relationship with God until my first semester of college.

As I grew older, I was experiencing more trials than I ever had before. I had a lot of lonely and sad days. My household was split in two, and arguments between my mother and father were getting heated too quickly. My parents decided it was over and finally agreed to a divorce. It was definitely a hard time in my life because I felt like I was in the middle of their dysfunction. Things were not going my way at all. I felt like the more I made an effort to pray, the more things were getting out of hand.

Although my parents’ relationship had run its course, I was hoping and praying that I’d be able to keep my mind clear enough to make the right decision when the time came to choose the college I would attend.

Honestly, if anyone would have asked me two years ago if I would go to Andrews University, I would have simply said no! My faith in God was weakening and I wanted to leave the church more than anything else. The deterioration and disruption caused by my parent’s relationship left me with no hope. Finances were not all that great to say the least, and one of my parents was not readily available in my life as much as I had hoped. Being that I was the only one in my family to pursue post-secondary education, there was a lot of added pressure and stress on my back; screwing up was not an option. I needed something in my life to go right.

Fortunately, I was accepted to all the universities where I applied. I just needed to narrow down my choices. My attempts to check out every other university went wrong every time. My visits were constantly delayed or cancelled. When I did have appointments, I would find out that the university just did not offer enough. I felt misled.

Through it all, my mother kept praying even when I stopped. When it came time for me to visit Andrews, things were actually going right. I could truly imagine myself attending this university. Andrews offered a variety of program choices, and the environment was peaceful and positive. I truly felt at home. Once I was here, I felt more passionately about worship and began attending church regularly and paying attention to the Word being preached. It’s as if every sermon I listened to was designed for me because I could relate to it all.

Eventually, the thought of baptism entered my mind again. God agitated my environment to put me in a place where he knew I’d be better off and showed me that through it all, he is with me. On November 22, 2015, at Andrews University, I was baptized for the very first time. I never would have imagined that I would finally take the necessary steps to rebuild my faith and my relationship with God. Being baptized was the first time in my life where I felt like whatever barrier I approached in my path, it was never too high for me to get over because I had God on my side.

I am now a sophomore pre-law student at Andrews studying communication. God is before me guiding my path and putting the right people in my life. Just recently, I found out that I had a grandfather who was alive and well, living in the States. He reached out to me after he connected with my father after almost 20 years. Also, I have met two relatives on this campus this year alone.

God sent me to Andrews for a certain reason and a purpose. He detoured my path and guided me down a route that would work out for my good, and for as long as I live, I will continue to be patient, steadfast and abide by whatever he has in store for me. I may not know the plan, but I trust him enough to guide my life. I live by this promise: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).