Characters fade. We are characters in this stage of life. We’re first a child, then we grow up, and that character fades and we become an adult. We become a college student, and we become different characters throughout the entirety of our short life here on earth. I had a character as a child, then I became a student, and then I became a seeker after the Lord. That character is continuing.

College was exciting for some parts, and some parts were painful. I eventually did graduate by a miraculous event, because after my freshman year, my college life became hard. My freshman year was pretty normal. I did what girls do. I became a cheerleader. I didn’t do a lot of studying. I went out with my friends, we went on road trips. I went to college in New Orleans, Louisiana, so we would take road trips to Florida—Pensacola, Destin, those pretty beaches.

I remember one night we were riding in this guy’s Jeep. It had those windows that weren’t really solid. It was freezing, it was raining, and it was scary. I was thinking, “Oh no, I hope we make it back to campus.” Be careful out there while you’re at college.

What happens once the part is played? What happens once you graduate college? I know when I graduated, I just needed to escape. I wanted to go and find myself because I was still asking, “What now?” So I decided to move to Los Angeles in search of more opportunity. I was really just looking for my life.

God bless, Shirah Chante, your relationship coach

P.S. This is only part of the story. 🎧Listen to the full episode of Teens Draw Near to God: Characterspodcast to hear how God met me in this season and began reshaping my faith and direction.