From Uncertainty to Provision: A Summer of Trusting God
By Liah Ostrom
A Summer I Didn’t Expect
This summer, God took me through one of the hardest seasons of my life, and used it to grow me in ways I didn’t expect. Looking back, I see now that every twist and turn was His way of teaching me to rely on Him fully, to surrender control, and to discover a deeper faith than I knew I had.
When I came home from school in May, I was expecting a normal summer, time to work, catch up with family, and prepare for my junior year at Benedictine College. Instead, I was greeted with a life-changing conversation. My parents sat me down and told me they were considering not paying for my junior year of college.
The words felt like a punch to the chest. My heart sank. My mind raced through a thousand questions: How will I pay for school? What if I can’t go back? Why now? While I understood their perspective, I didn’t agree with their decision, and the reality was that I had no plan B. I hadn’t worked since my sophomore year of high school, so my savings account was nonexistent. I felt completely unprepared.
By God’s grace, I was able to secure a full-time job for the summer as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). It was a blessing, and I poured myself into the work. But I quickly realized that even if I saved every penny from my paychecks, it still wouldn’t be enough to pay for even one semester at Benedictine. The numbers didn’t add up, and the anxiety began to grow.
Weeks passed, and my parents still hadn’t made a final decision. Every time I tried to bring up the subject, it got pushed aside. The uncertainty was draining. By mid-July, less than a month before the semester started, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. I reached out to one of the priests at Benedictine to ask if there were any Catholic scholarships available. He searched but couldn’t find anything. My heart sank again.
We brainstormed together, and then he suggested something bold: Why not message the president of Benedictine directly? The idea intimidated me, but I prayed for courage and decided to take the leap.
To my surprise, the president responded almost immediately. He connected me with the Director of Financial Aid and the Vice President for Enrollment. For weeks, these two incredible people worked tirelessly with me, exploring every possible option. Their kindness and determination were a reminder that God often sends help through the hands of others.
We pieced together a plan. Between a manageable loan and a generous scholarship from a gracious couple I had never even met, it looked like things might actually work out. I felt hope for the first time in weeks.
Then came the day the balance was due. That was when my parents gave me their final answer: they wouldn’t be contributing toward my tuition. I was on my own.
I remember sitting there in silence, trying to stay composed while my heart pounded. Then my dad spoke again, he had remembered something. Years ago, an emergency education fund had been set up in my name. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to cover my bill for the semester. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming wave of relief and gratitude. God had made a way where there seemed to be no way.
Blessings Beyond Finances
It wasn’t just the money. This summer also gave me community. At my job, I met coworkers who encouraged me, prayed for me, and believed in me. I found unexpected friendships that lifted me during some of my lowest days.
Through it all, my faith became my anchor. I prayed the Rosary with more passion and desperation than ever before. I cried out to God for strength when the uncertainty felt too heavy. And each time I felt like I was about to break, He reminded me that He was still in control.
For not even being Catholic a full year, I’ve already experienced firsthand what it means to surrender and trust Him. I’ve learned that letting go doesn’t mean giving up, it means giving God the room to work. It means acknowledging that His plan is better than mine, even when I can’t see the whole picture.
If there’s anything this summer taught me, it’s this: God always provides. Not always in the way we expect, and not always on our timeline, but always in the way that is best for us.
And now, as I pack my bags for my junior year at Benedictine, I carry not just textbooks and clothes, but also a stronger faith, a deeper gratitude, and a heart that knows without a doubt, God is faithful.
Advice for My Sisters in Faith
To every young woman reading this who feels overwhelmed, uncertain, or afraid of what’s ahead, please hear me: you don’t have to have it all figured out. God already knows the way. The same Father who provided for me in the eleventh hour will provide for you in ways you can’t yet imagine.
When the path ahead feels foggy, keep moving forward in prayer. Make time for the Rosary, cling to Scripture, and surround yourself with people who will speak faith into your life. Trusting God doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges, it means choosing to believe that His hand is steady even when the ground feels unsteady.
Your life will not always go according to your plan. And that’s okay, because His plan is always better. Let go. Trust Him. And watch Him work wonders in your story, too.
“Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and always.”