Trusting In God’s Tomorrow

Editor’s note: DCSC volunteer Michael Broughton reflects on the ways trusting in God’s plan has brought him to FMS, along with new experiences, friends and passions for helping those in need.

Hello! Since the last time I published a blog post, my life here in D.C. has transformed quite a bit. I have grown to love my community, found my niche at the Father McKenna center, and mapped out my plans for graduate school. Everything has come together, but just a few short months ago, I was not sure what the future held. I have now been blessed with the comforting fact that I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing. 

It seems as though these blessings have arisen all at once, overwhelming me with gratitude and joy. So the question I have continuously asked myself is simple: Why? What has changed in my life that has opened me up to such incredible opportunities? The answer seems to be as simple as the question. Rather than forcefully carving out my own path in this world, I left my fate up to God. I trusted that His plan was greater than anything I could fathom, and He has proven it time and time again.

I have always been somebody who stressed about the future. Whether it be family, my career path, or graduate school applications, I have always had a hard time with the uncertainty of what was to come next. That was certainly the case during my junior year of college, when I first learned of FMS. On the surface, a year of service just didn’t fit into my agenda. I had aspirations of graduate school and service work would just add another year to an already lengthy plan. However, something about the process felt right. This was a real opportunity to serve others while further developing my spiritual life. It almost felt as though I was joining on a whim, and the prospect of delaying my future did not make my mom all that happy.Still, I trusted my gut and followed the path that was put in front of me. What I did not realize at the time was that this was God’s way of redirecting me. I had become so caught up in my grades and financial obligations that I had forgotten why I wanted to be a doctor in the first place; I wanted to serve my community. I had lost sight of my purpose, and FMS was the reminder that I needed.

Even after joining FMS and the Casa Community, I was not entirely sure what my role would be. I had emphasized my interest in working with people experiencing homelessness, but was unsure of the role I would be playing. I assumed it would be along the lines of a soup kitchen, or handing out clothes, but much like the application process, I trusted that I would find a good fit. Sure enough, I was given the opportunity to work as a case manager alongside Cortez McDaniel, the Director of Services at the Father McKenna Center. I was not just giving hand-outs or serving faces; I was going to have the opportunity to build relationships and be present to the needs of others. This was exactly the type of opportunity I was seeking out, although I never knew it existed until it was right here in my lap.

Now, five months into my journey, it is incredible to think back to the start of this program. I did not know what lay ahead, but much to my own surprise, I was not worried. For the first time in my young life, I trusted that God’s plans were greater than my own, and He would put me in a position to be my best self. There have definitely been some roadblocks along the way and I face a variety of obstacles at the Center every day. However, I know that my trust in God has afforded me this incredible opportunity, so continuing to follow the path set out for me will only lead to great things. 

As a young adult, it is so easy to get caught up in societal expectations and grow fearful of the uncertainty of the future. To those in this position, I offer up this one piece of advice: Trust that God will reveal your purpose, and all the rest will fall into place.

Reflection: Where in your life could you trust in God more?