Jenna pushed open the door to her dorm room and flopped on her bed. She didn’t get in. How could she not get in? Her mother and her grandmother had been Delta Chi sisters. Didn’t that automatically mean they should choose her? Her mom would be so disappointed. She swallowed against the lump in her throat. There was no way she could tell her. Not yet. How could this happen? College was nothing like she thought it would be. She needed to talk to Ryan. She picked up her phone.

            After two rings, the familiar voice brought comfort, but it didn’t last long.

            “Hey.”

            “Hey Ry. I miss you. I wish you were here.”

            “I’m kind of busy right now.”

            Jenna’s stomach clenched. Ryan always used to make time for her. “I’m sorry. Do you want to call me later?”

            Ryan paused. “I’m not sure. I’m going out, and it might be too late.”

            “Oh.”

            “Look, Jenna, I’m not sure this is going to work out.”

            Jenna straightened. What was he saying? Was her high school boyfriend of two years seriously breaking up with her? Sure, they knew going to separate colleges would be hard for their relationship, but they hadn’t even been apart for a month and he was already breaking up with her. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

            “Are you breaking up with me?”

            “I just think we’d enjoy college more without worrying about being tied down.”

            Jenna gasped. After two years, that’s what he thought of her? She was keeping him from having fun? She’d hardly called him the past few weeks with all the sorority activities. Guess he wasn’t missing her. She couldn’t keep the edge from her voice. “Fine. I wouldn’t want to ruin your fun. Have a nice life, Ryan.” She hung up the phone before he heard the tremor in her voice.

           What would she do now? There were so many changes in her life she almost didn’t recognize herself. Here she was, three hours away from home, with no boyfriend and no sorority. All her mom’s college stories centered on sorority life. Whenever she imagined college, she pictured herself surrounded by a group of sorority sisters. But now what?

           Her phone rang. Had Ryan changed his mind? She glanced at the screen. Rachel. Her youth group leader. How did she know she needed her right now?

           “Rachel, hi.”

           “Jenna, you’ve been on my heart lately. I felt God wanted me to check in on you.”

Jenna swallowed hard. “I didn’t think you’d have time for those of us who graduated. Aren’t you busy enough with all the youth group kids you have now?”

           “Are you kidding me? I won’t stop praying for you just because you’re away at college. I think you probably need more prayers.”

           Jenna frowned. “You got that right.”

          “What’s going on?”

           “Everything is changing. I don’t really have any close friends here, Ryan just broke up with me, and I didn’t get into the sorority that my mom and grandma were in. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

           “Wow, Jenna. That’s a lot. How are you handling it?”

            “I haven’t even had time to process the breakup yet. Ryan and I haven’t really talked much since we left for school. I guess we’ve been growing apart for a while. Honestly, I’m more upset about the sorority. I always pictured myself as a Delta Chi girl.”

            “I’m sorry about Ryan. I know you cared about him. But your identity is not about being in a sorority.”

             “My mom and my grandma were in that sorority. They’ll be so disappointed.”

             “Oh, Jenna. They’ll still love you, and so will God. You’re his child, no matter how much changes in your life. He loves you, whether you’re at home or at college. He loves you with or without a boyfriend, and he loves you with or without a sorority. God never changes.”

              Jenna bit her lip. “I never thought about it that way.”

             Rachel gave a little laugh.

            “What is it?”

            “I was just thinking of a verse about God never changing, and I thought it was a little funny. God is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. He’s eternal and never changes.”

            “But why is that funny?”

            “Because those are the Greek letters you should be most concerned with. Instead of worrying about Deltas and Chis and all those girls, remember the Alpha and Omega.”

            A sense of peace filled Jenna’s heart. Sure, college wasn’t exactly turning out the way she’d planned, but God still cared. “Thank you, Rachel. I guess all I really needed was some wise counsel. I think I might check out the campus Bible study. Maybe I can make some new friends there.”

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Dear God, In a world that constantly changes, thank you for the powerful reminder that You never do. Everything starts with You and ends with You. When we’re in times of uncertainty, we can be grounded in knowing You never change. What a blessing. Your love for us doesn’t depend on our circumstances. It’s so comforting knowing nothing surprises You. You see the whole picture of our lives. Please help us remember that and trust You with the details. Please help us walk in faith in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.